The Jazz Voyager

The Jazz Voyager is criss-crossing North America once more on a flight to the nation’s capital to take his seat in Studio K at The Kennedy Center for a command performance by vocalist Rene Marie. Opening in 1971 on the east bank of the Potomac River, this voyager first experienced the luxury and superb acoustics at the 1972 homecoming performance of Marvin Gaye as he unleashed his What’s Going On album on his adoring public. It was a magical night in the concert hall. Since then, I have had the pleasure to see a variety of jazz and soul performances like the one I will be privy to this evening. There’s a 7:30pm at 9:30pm tonight.

I met Rene in Atlanta in the Nineties and witnessed her meteoric rise in the city and then the world first hand as she captivated small and large audiences with her style and class. Most intriguing were her original compositions from which she took from life. Imaginative storytelling will take you on a journey within yourself as she relates the similarities we have in common as human beings. Listen carefully and you will reflect upon your own life.

The Kennedy Center is located at 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566. For more info 202-467-4600 or visit notoriousjazz.com/event/rene-marie-experiment-in-truth.

CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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REBECCA KILGORE TRIO

Rebecca Kilgore, Vocals | Randy Porter, Piano | Tom Wakeling, Bass

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Carri Coltrane was born Carrie Thompson in Phoenix, Arizona on March 14, 1953. Singing professionally since childhood, she was only nine when she joined Wallace & Ladmo, a children’s program that was founded by her father. The program aired in the Phoenix Area from 1954 to 1989 and she remained with the show until she reached adolescence and outgrew her role as a little girl singer.

She moved to Seattle, Washington in 1979 and went on to sing with various rock and pop bands as an adult, and did quite a few jingles for commercials along the way. While living in Seattle she met Eugene McDaniels who really encouraged her to explore straight-ahead jazz. Carri eventually became friends and partners with McDaniels and formed Numoon Publishing with him. They have put out several allbums on the Numoon label that included jazz, contemporary pop and Christmas music.

Carri released her self-titled debut album in 1980 under her birth name. It wasn’t until 1986 that she started going by Carri Coltrane as an homage to the tenor saxophonist. She moved to New England in 1987.

Vocalist Carri Coltrane, whose subtle waifish introspection continues to perform, record and publish her music.

CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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EUGENIE JONES

with Saxophonist Maureese Itson, pianist Nick Allison, bassist James Clark, drummer John Oliver

Singer/Songwriter Eugenie Jones is an exceptional vocalist and cleverly gifted lyricist who has released highly-praised, primarily original, vocal projects. Her current release – Players – was a Best Jazz Vocal Album Grammy® contender and internationally ranked #7 on Jazz Week’s top 50 charts. Jones is additionally an Earshot Jazz Vocalist of the Year award recipient and the first vocal recording artist to receive Earshot’s Recording of the Year Golden Ear award.

A warm, engaging entertainer, she’s described by critics as an artist that “can make you feel jazz,” and 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 29 originals on her recordings.

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CYNTHIA SCOTT & HOUSTON PERSON

Cynthia Scott – vocals
Houston Person – tenor saxophone
Jeb Patton – piano
Russell Hall – bass
Willie Jones III – drums

Cynthia Scott, a soulful, Grammy-nominated vocalist, leads a swinging quintet featuring the legendary tenor saxophonist Houston Person. Scott worked with Ray Charles as a Raelette before launching her successful solo career and subsequently performing with Hank Crawford, David “Fathead” Newman, Wynton Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr., and many others. JazzTimes says Scott blends “the sinewy grit of Gladys Knight and the sophisticated sass of Shirley Horn” with “nods to such idols as Carmen, Ella, Sarah, and Dinah.” The Chicago Tribune called her “a mesmerizing vocalist.” Houston Person is the very special guest with this quintet and All About Jazz says, “Whatever imponderable talent it takes to stay at the top of one’s game for almost six decades, as Person has, he still has it in abundance.”

 

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