KATHLEEN BERTRAND

Multifaceted recording artist and writer Kathleen Bertrand is a native Atlantan and Spelman College graduate, whose performances have ranged from two Olympic Games to performances before two presidents, as well as appearances at jazz festivals world-wide. Bertrand toured and recorded as vocalist with jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers.

This three-octave vocal artist has been an invited performer at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland on three occasions and has made multiple appearances at the Atlanta Jazz Festival, including that of headliner in 2012, as part of the Nina Simone Tribute Ensemble in 2015, and most recently as 2017 producer of  “Celebrating Sarah, Honoring the Music of SarahVaughan” featuring Bertrand and 6 other vocalists. She has opened for many of America’s finest jazz artists, including Ray Charles, Will Downing, Rachelle Ferrell, Najee, Roy Ayers, and Kenny G. Her fan base includes radio and internet listeners across the USA as well as in England, Japan, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, New Zealand, France, the Netherlands, and Brazil among others.

As a songwriter, she penned the national theme song for the 100 Black Men of America – “What They See is What They’ll Be” – as well as several songs on her CDs All of Me, No Regrets, Reasons for the Season, New Standards, and Katharsis,which was released in June 2011 and is still receiving nationwide and world-wide airplay, including 14 weeks on the UK Soul Chart top 30, 6 weeks in the UK Soul Charts Top 10, and 2 weeks at #1.  In November, 2017, her most recent CD, It’s Time to Love, was released, and is already receiving international airplay.

Bertrand has received numerous honors for her jazzy vocal stylings and arts contributions including the Kuumba Award given by East Point/College Park, GA Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, the inaugural Impact Award from Black Women In Jazz, recognition by the United Negro College Fund as one of “Atlanta’s Legends,” the “Contribution to the Arts” Award by the Pi Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the 2016 Georgia Highlight Award given by the Georgia Entertainment Gala, the Civic Award for the Arts presented by the Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated, and recognition by Spelman College with its distinguished “Alumnae Achievement Award for the Arts & Entertainment.” In 2015, she was voted Jazz Vocalist of the Year by Black Women in Jazz.

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EUGENIE JONES

A warm, engaging entertainer, she’s described by critics as an artist who “can make you feel jazz,” she and her recordings have received favorable coverage in every major jazz publication, including DownBeat, JazzTimes, JazzIz, The Gazette/NY, and many others. Described as a “deft vocalist,” Jones has also proven to be a skillful songwriter, releasing 30 originals on her recordings.
Jones puts her Marketing MBA and business acumen to work by producing African-American music legacy events that commemorate the musical history of Seattle’s Central District, including the Jackson Street Jazz Walk and the Celebrating Ernestine Anderson Tribute series. These entertainment/legacy events doubly benefit the community by raising funds for nonprofit service organizations such as the Rotary Boys & Girls Club, the Central Area Senior Center, the Northwest Harvest Food Bank, and the Carolyn Downs Family Medical Clinic. Jones’s work intersecting music and community service garnered her receipt of the 2023 Jazz Journalists Association’s Jazz Hero Award for her community efforts.
The Band:
Eugenie Jones ~ Vocal
Nick Allison ~ Piano
Dean Schmidt ~ Bass
Jamael Nance ~ Drums

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AUDREY SHAKIR: THE QUINTET

The Quintet is the creation of renowned vocalist Audrey Shakir and saxman Vinnie D’Agostino. This innovative group draws on the swinging sounds of horn led hard bop. The set will be performing the swinging jazz of Ray Charles, Louis Jordan and James Brown.

The Band: Audrey Shakir ~ vocal, Vinnie D’Agostino ~ Saxophone, Louis Heriveaux ~ piano, Craig Shaw ~ bass, Dave Potter ~ drums.

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The Jazz Voyager

Austin, Texas is the next stop for the Jazz Voyager where I’ll be visiting a jazz spot called Parker Jazz Club. A world-class basement lounge designed by a musician, for musicians nestled in the heart of downtown Austin’s Warehouse district, where the best dining and entertainment venues reside. Within the walls every microphone, cable, speaker, wire, baffle, table, and chair was meticulously hand chosen for the purpose of serving the music.

This week taking the stage is vocalist Kenny Williams whose 25 year career has lit up stages with a tornado of talent and charisma. The Austin native studied voice at the University of Texas, and cut his teeth as an actor and an entertainer in clubs on the city’s famed 6th Street. Born to entertain, and his star shines brightly. He is a truly gifted vocalist, while his spirit, energy, and passion will bring you back for more.

The venue is located at 117 W 4th Street, #107b, 78701. For those requiring more information go to  https://notoriousjazz.com/event/kenny-williams.

CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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THE COPA KINGS

A night of swingin’ Rat Pack music reminiscent of Las Vegas in its prime! The Copa Kings were formed out of a desire to breathe new life into some of the great jazz standards of the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s. With great reverence, the band brings a unique passion, artistry, and flair to the jazz music of this period. Led by frontman Billy Murphy, the Austin-based Copa Kings pay homage to some of our country’s greatest jazz songwriters and performers, including Frank, Billie, Ella, Louis (Armstrong and Jordan), Dean, and Ray.

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