The Jazz Voyager

The friendly skies are seeing me once more flying cross country to our nation’s capital to capture the essence of what I believe will be an unforgettable experience at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. I will continue to mask up whenever I’m on a plane or in enclosed spaces because these variants are not yet inert. Autumn in Washington, DC is a special time of year and to witness the collaboration of Javon Jackson and Nikki Giovanni will be transcendent.

Jackson presents The Gospel According To Nikki Giovanni with appearances by Nnenna Freelon and a rare appearance by Giovanni herself. This is a one evening event, so if you’ve never seen these three performers, I suggest you get your tickets because you are in for a treat.

Hitting DC is always like coming home even though the landscape has changed quite a bit. I have to get my bearings each time years pass between visits but fortunately it doesn’t take long. The Kennedy Center is located at  2700 F Street, NW 20566. For more information visit notoriousjazz.com/event or kennedy-center.org. The Kennedy Center number is 202-467-4600.

CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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JULIE DEXTER

Meet Julie Dexter, a world renowned, award winning, British singer, songwriter and producer considered by many to be one of the most influential female vocalists of our generation. Having shared the spotlight with a host of cutting-edge artists, including Mint Condition, Caron Wheeler, Jill Scott, Lalah Hathaway, Omar, Ledisi, Doug Carn, Third World and Maxi Priest to name a few, Julie not only holds up her own with them but has been praised and respected by them too.

Influenced by legends such as Nancy Wilson, Abbey Lincoln, and Bob Marley, as well as popular icons Omar and Sade, Julie takes classic soul to the heart of Artistry. Fans and critics across the globe have followed her journey through the circles of Jazz, Broken-Beat, Bossa-Nova, Reggae, Afro-Beat and Soul and she was recently honored at the Black Women in Jazz Awards with the Afro Caribbean Soul of Jazz Award.

It was in 1999 that Julie took a leap of faith and moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she now resides. She launched her own label, Ketch A Vibe Records and in 2000 released the critically acclaimed EP Peace of Mind, followed by Dexterity (2002) ,Conscious (2005) and New Again (2011). Moon Bossa, a collaboration with Khari Simmons was released in 2007 and her single “Ketch A Vibe” was featured in national radio ads for Democratic Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama.

Julie’s latest album “Deja Vu” takes us on a journey from Bossa to reggae. From Jazz to World Music, Soul and beyond, Julie Dexter is one of an elite few whose talent can transcend genres. She makes it all work on her own terms, as an audaciously independent artist with an undeniable connection to her audience.

Don’t miss the experience of Julie Dexter. Be a part of a tradition of great music. In the words of her smash single ‘Ketch A Vibe’, ‘Don’t let it pass you by…Ketch [Julie Dexter’s] Vibe’…

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The Jazz Voyager

This week I’m still masking and social distancing whenever I’m on a plane or in enclosed spaces because this pandemic is not over. I’m following the sun and heading westward to Palm Springs, California for the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival. The festival is being held at the Palm Springs Convention Center located at 271 N Avenida Caballeros 92262.

Over the course of three days the festival are presenting Nnenna Freelon, Cyrille Aimee, Lea Delaria, Ledisi, and the Divas Of The Desert featuring Hope Diamond, Gennine Francis, Melba Miller, Cynthia Thomas, Chris Bennett, Rose Mallett, Keisha D, Yve Evans, Patrice Morris.

This is my first time visiting this venue and seeing all but one vocalist for the first time. I am so looking forward to this voyage. This trip I’m going to be hanging around for the weekend to have the full music experience. As always, for more information visit notoriousjazz.com/event or palmspringscc.com. The convention center number is 760-325-6611.

CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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DENISE KING & THE NEW YORK KOLLECTION

Influenced by Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson Frank Sinatra and Aretha Franklin, Denise King is an expressive, big-voiced vocalist that combines jazz with elements of R&B, Blues and Gospel. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA at the young age of twelve she discovered R&B and jazz thanks to an uncle who was a record collector that loved jazz. Denise King is, brimming with energy, good humor, and swings with authentic jazz expression! As part of a tradition rooted in the history of jazz, she fully lives the songs she sings.

Though she’s no stranger to standards, one of King’s strong points has been her ability to provide jazz interpretations of rock and soul hits, sharing the stage with such legends as Lex Humphries, Ted Curson, Arthur Harper, Brecker Brothers, Cecil Payne, Cecil McBee, Sid Simmons Christian McBride, Jerry Weldon, Bootsie Barnes and many more. It is with these musicians that she learned the art of Jazz singing.

The European dream for jazz artists remains strong in its history, and a gateway of empowerment for African Américan artists. As an international performer, King has delighted audiences from the USA, France, Italy, Belgium, Cyprus, Serbia, Belarus, Poland, Japan, Kazakstan, Spain, Russia, Siberia,Greece, UK, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Mahachcala, Luxembourg and participated in the International Jazz Day in Paris.

Denise is likened to a“natural singer” for she organically learned to sing, outside of any educational system, but through the natural progression of listening to recordings and watching live jazz performances.

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JOSE JAMES

Often referred to as a jazz singer for the hip-hop generation, New York City-based vocalist José James combines jazz, soul, drum’n’bass, and spoken word into his own unique brand of vocal jazz. While he states his main influences as John Coltrane, Marvin Gaye, and Billie Holiday, his sound on early 12″ singles and in live performances brought to mind such icons of ’70s jazz-soul as Terry Callier, and his music felt more like an update of the fluid crossover approach of Gil Scott-Heron, while also being distinctly his own.

 

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