VANESSA RUBIN

Set 1: 7:00 pm – 8:20 pm | Set 2: 9:00 pm – 10:20 pm – Sold Separately

Revered as both a torchbearer and a storyteller, jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin possesses a voice hailed for crystalline clarity, hearth-like warmth, and playful lioness sass. The Cleveland native brings a wealth of diverse influences to her vocal performance from both the Trinidadian/Caribbean roots of her mother and traditional jazz by way of her Louisiana-born father. Additional homespun influences include the melodic bell tone clarity of a young Capital Records recording artist, Nancy Wilson, the fire of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, the sweet sounds of trumpeter Blue Mitchell as well as her love of the Motown Sound…especially girl groups like the Supremes.

Rubin’s passion for rich musical stories is evidenced throughout her eight albums thus far, plus numerous guest appearances. Highlights include the evocative “Voyager II” from the pen of Teri Thornton, “Inside a Silent Tear” written by Blossom Dearie, a refashioned waltz version of John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” lyricized by New York Voices, and an arrangement of “Superwoman” by Stevie Wonder inspired by the Ahmad Jamal recording of “Poinciana.” So while she has one foot planted in tradition – sticking close to timeless melodies and exquisite vocal forms – Rubin waxes adventurous, embracing stories lesser told while employing lessons of acclaimed storytellers in songs such as Carmen McRae, Shirley Horn, and Freddy Cole. “They mastered the art of believability, Rubin asserts. Additionally, Rubin continues to back her way into The Blues with an urgent appreciation for soulful mentors like Etta Jones and Irene Reid. Also among her current endeavors is highlighting and interpreting well-known, obscure, and new lyrical works of composer/arranger/pianist Tadd Dameron. “I hope to do for Tadd’s music what Carmen McRae did for Monk’s music,” Rubin explained.

Vanessa’s first gigs began around 1980 in small clubs around Cleveland, such as Tucker’s Place, Bob’s Toast of the Town, Lancer’s Steak House, Club Isabella, The Native Son, and The Teal Lounge. Some early band mates included Wynn Bibbs, Skip Gibson, saxophonist and arranger Willie Smith, Neal Creque, Matthew “Chink” Stevenson, and, later, the uniquely soulful organ quartet of The Blackshaw Brothers with Cecil Rucker on vibes. “We worked eight days a week all over Cleveland, catching the tail end of what was left over from the good old days,” Rubin recalls. After two years, Rubin was anxious to set her sights on New York, where she earnestly and humbly soaked up the tutelage of many veterans like Pharaoh Sanders, Frank Foster, and Barry Harris.

Rubin remains a favorite at jazz clubs and festivals in the US and abroad. Her work as a producer and educator/clinician with youth in communities and educational institutions worldwide is ongoing.

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TIERNEY SUTTON & RANDY BRECKER

“Ms. Sutton is a pure jazz spirit who respects a song. Even when going out on an improvisatory limb, she never lets its essence slip away.” – The New York Times “Brecker has the chops to play it cool or hot, laid-back or virtuosic.” – Downbeat

9-time Grammy-nominated vocalist Tierney Sutton and legendary multi-Grammy-winning trumpet master Randy Brecker share a stage for the very first time in an evening of spontaneous music-making. This special Tuesday night performance will also feature the illuminating pianist Christian Jacob.

Tierney Sutton – vocals | Randy Brecker – trumpet | Christian Jacob – piano

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CYNTHIA SCOTT FEATURING HOUSTON PERSON

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JAZZMEIA HORN QUARTET

Jazzmeia Horn, making an important Smoke debut, leads a stellar quartet with pianist Victor Gould, bassist Jason Clotter, and drummer Michael Reed. An award-winning vocalist (2013 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition and the 2015 Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition), Horn is “without a doubt among the jazz world’s most exciting young vocalists…her sound is explosive and bright and rich, catnip for audiences looking for boldness that’s still traditional,” reports Billboard. Downbeat adds, “Jazzmeia Horn harbors both astounding technique and an acute artistic vision…[she] has a thrilling presence with a musical sensibility that strikes a deft balance between mid-century jazz and contemporary neo-soul.”

Jazzmeia Horn – vocals

Victor Gould – piano

Jason Clotter – bass

Michael Reed – drums

***Friday & Saturday Showtimes: 7:00pm | 9:00pm | 10:30pm

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DE ANDRÉ: I SAW NINA FLY

If there was still a need to say or sing something that has not yet been said or sung, here is a tribute to the music and words of one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, Fabrizio de Andre’. The four musicians, important exponents of the Italian jazz and world scene, meet to interpret with emotion and refinement some of the most beautiful songs by Fabrizio de Andrè, from the best known ones (bocca di rosa, the song of marinella, song of lost love, creuza de ma, a judge) to those left a little more in the shadows (prayer in January, khorakhanè, I saw nina fly), using different and only apparently distant languages ​​such as jazz.

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