LIZZ WRIGHT
Through an inimitable voice that The New York Times touts as, “a smooth, dark alto possessed of qualities you might associate with barrel-aged bourbon or butter-soft leather,” renowned vocalist and songwriter Lizz Wright sings with a soaring reflection of the cultural fabric of America. She lies beneath the script of history, transcending social divides with an offer of love and deep sense of humanity. Her music accepts the beauty of reality and creates a collective experience of belonging for the listener. Wright’s songs embody a tradition that allows us to always feel at home.
Wright’s 2024 studio album release, Shadow, presents Lizz in a gentle and triumphant light. With five originals penned by Wright, Shadow is anchored by acoustic guitars and layered with string quartets, harp, Carnatic Indian classical strings, gospel vocals, and bare emotion. It celebrates the intimacy of romantic love, loss, community, and healing. The album was produced by Chris Bruce and executive produced by Wright on Blues & Greens Records (with licensing/distribution through Lightyear Entertainment/Virgin Music). Wright worked with renowned engineer Ryan Freeland (who recorded Grace and has also worked with music legend Bonnie Raitt), and the album features acclaimed guest artists Angelique Kidjo and Meshell Ndegeocello.
At the age of 22, Wright first made a name for herself nationally as a vocalist with a touring concert tribute to Billie Holiday. At 23, she signed with Verve Records for the release of Salt, which topped Billboard’s contemporary jazz charts. She went on to record for Universal Music Group and released the albums Dreaming Wide Awake (2005), The Orchard (2008), and Fellowship (2010). On Concord, Wright released Freedom & Surrender (2016) – featuring the single “Lean In,” which landed on President Obama’s Summer 2016 playlist – and Grace (2017). Wright’s (2022) release of Holding Space (a live recording of a concert in Berlin at the Columbia Theater) was her debut live album on Blues and Greens Records.
Wright looks forward to the release of a duo album in 2026.
Tickets: $43.21 ($35.00 + $8.21 fees) | $54.54 ($45.00 + $9.54 fees)
Discounted Parking: $18.80 ($15.00 + $3.80 fees)
$20.00 Minimum Per Person
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Shirley Valerie Horn was born on May 1, 1934 in Washington, D.C. and was encouraged by her grandmother to begin piano lessons at age four. At twelve she studied piano and composition at Howard University and later majored there in classical music. Unable to afford to attend, Shirley was forced to decline an offered a place at the Juilliard School. Forming her first jazz piano trio when she was twenty, her early piano influences were Errol Garner, Oscar Peterson and Ahmad Jamal that moved away from her classical background.
She then became enamored with the famous U Street jazz area of Washington, sneaking into jazz clubs before she was of legal age. She was most noted for her ability to accompany herself with nearly incomparable independence and ability on the piano while singing, the rich, lush, smoky contralto gave an unprecedented expression to every song she sang. Although she could swing as strongly as any straight-ahead jazz artist, Horn’s reputation rode on her exquisite ballad work.
She recorded with Stuff Smith in 1959, and on small labels into the Sixties. Horn first achieved fame in 1960, when Miles Davis discovered her and his public praise was a rare commodity. She eventually landed on Mercury and Impulse and over the course of her career she recorded some four-dozen albums both as leader and sideman.
Following the arrival of the Beatles, Horn scaled down performances to her native D.C. clubs, raised her daughter and worked full time in an office. Recording sporadically from 1965 through the late 80s, by the early Nineties her resurgence came with “Here’s To Life” and the albums began to flow, nearly one a year until 2003.
The small setting performer, singer and pianist Shirley Horn kept her same trio for twenty-five years. In the early 200s due to health issues she cut back her schedule, and battling diabetes and breast cancer passed away on October 20, 2005. She was nominated for a Grammy 9 times and won for “I Remember Miles”, performed for several White House invites, received an honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of Music and was given a NEA Jazz Master Award.
NICOLE HENRY, SENEGAL APOSTOLO & JOHN MARQUIS
Esther Mae Armbrister Park welcomes the Nicole Henry Quintet, the Senegal Apostolo Trio and the John Marquis Trio for an evening of jazz celebrating Jazzin’ The Grove Spring Swing! The event is ree and open to the public. Bring your chairs, blankets and coolers for a fantastic evening of live jazz.
World class vocalist Nicole Henry’s versatile and emotionally driven performances have captivated audiences in twenty countries. She has ensconced herself in the jazz ranks of acclaimed interpreters as she tours with her quartet or performing with orchestras and big bands. Her repertoire comes from the American Songbook, classic and contemporary jazz, popular standards, blues, and originals. Her numerous accolades include Traditional Jazz Performance, Best New Jazz Artist, and Best Solo Musician from Soul Train, HMV Japan Awards and Miami New Times, respectively. She was hailed as One of Eight Black Artists Making Waves in 2024 by Symphonic Distribution and BroadwayWorld Miami named her Vocalist of the Decade.
Double bassist Senegal Apostolo is a Miami-based professional musician, bassist, and educator, known for his work with JazzSLAM, and has been featured in performances with the FIU Music Hour. A graduate of the FIU School of Music, he performs in jazz ensembles and provides music programming for children. He co-founded Miami-based music academy, Sol Music Studios, and conducts interactive musical programs for young children. His discography can be found on SoundCloud, Boomplay and Instagram.
Pianist John Marquis began playing at an early age and has been playing through his high school matriculation. Along with his bandmates, bassist Gavin Jules and drummer Dwayne James, they are soon to be graduating seniors from the renowned performing and visual arts Dillard Center for the Arts located within Dillard 6-12 Magnet School, located in Fort Lauderdale. To be accepted into the program each student had to audition and undergo a rigorous years of training that has prepared them for a career in the arts.
Cover: FREE
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VANESSA RUBIN
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. Rubin’s passion for rich musical stories are evidenced throughout her eight albums thus far plus numerous guest appearances.
Highlight s ongs 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 insipired 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 song such as Carmen McRae, Shirley Horn, and Freddy Cole.
Bandmates:
Allyn Johnson ~ Piano
Kenny Davis ~ Bass
Alvester Garnet ~ Drums
Cover: $35.46 ~ $45.76
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Anita Gravine was born April 11, 1946 in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. An experienced but little-known singer, in the mid-’60s, she sang with the bands of Larry Elgart, Buddy Morrow, and Urbie Green. She made her solo debut with Dream Dancing on the Progressive label in the early ’80s.
This was followed by her release of I Always Knew in 1985 for the now defunct Stash Records that displayed her appealing voice, solid sense of swing, and versatility. Gravine’s third project Welcome to My Dream, although not a critical success, continues to prove she can handle both ballad and up-tempo songs with ease of voice and rhythmic assurance.
She has worked with arranger and pianist Mike Abene, George Mraz, Billy Hart and Tom Harrell. She released Welcome To My Dream for Jazz Alliance in 1993. In 2010 Anita released the last of her four albums “Lights! Camera! Passion! Jazz And The Italian Cinema”, and she continues to perform and tour.
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