LORI WILLIAMS
Lori Williams, DC native and internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist returns to the Alley! With over 30 years of experience as a performer, music educator, songwriter, producer, and radio host, she has captivated audiences worldwide, earning numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to the arts.
Known for her work around Atlanta, she hosts “Collector’s Choice With Lori Williams” on JazzRadioWETF.org and produces a concert series at St. James Live Jazz Club in Atlanta, Georgia. She has released several independent albums, and is celebrating Blues Alley’s 60th year with this One Night Only event.
Joining her on stage are bassist Michael Bowie, saxophonist Tracey Cutler, Benjie Porecki on piano, and drummer Mark Prince.
The 7:00pm show is sold out but tickets are still available for the 9:30 performance.
$15 food/beverage minimum per person not included in ticket price. | Seating first come at the door. Doors open 6 PM & 8:45 PM respectively.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Jacqueline Caryl Dankworth was born on February 5, 1963 in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England to jazz singer Cleo Laine and saxophonist John Dankworth. She attended St. Christopher School in Hertfordshire and is an alumna and fellow of Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
She worked as an actress with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre, and in West End theatre. She played Cinderella in the musical Into the Woods and appeared in the film Shoreditch, singing the song My Man by Billie Holiday.
2003 saw Dankworth releasing her debut album As the Sun Shines Down On Me on Candid Records. This album brought her to the attention of Michael Parkinson and BBC Radio 2, and she appeared regularly on air throughout that year.
She was featured on Courtney Pine’s album Devotion, and performed with him at the Royal Festival Hall as part of the London Jazz Festival. Her sophomore album with the 2004 release, Detour Ahead. Since then she has recorded a total of seven albums.
She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to music. Vocalist Jacqui Dankworth continues to perform, tour and record.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Cindy Scott was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on February 3, 1966 into an extended family of musicians and educators. Her mother was a concert pianist, and her father played fifteen instruments and they were both band directors. She has two sisters who are musicians and educators, and her cousin, guitarist and teacher Charlie Hall founded the Black Rose Acoustic Society in Colorado Springs and Colorado Roots Music Camp.
She received a music scholarship by Louisiana State University and played flute and piccolo in the wind ensemble while earning a degree in German. She later earned a Masters in International Business from the University of South Carolina. Scott embarked on a corporate career while continuing to perform and study music. 2005 saw Cindy dedicating herself fully to her musical pursuits and enrolled in the Jazz Studies program at the University of New Orleans.
Although Scott spent many years working in the corporate world, she always had one foot in the music world as a performer, bandleader, and student of the music. She recorded her first album Major to Minor in Houston, Texas in 2001 and released it the following year. She would go on to record a total of albums as a leader, eight as a sideperson and has produced two albums to date.
Cindy has held the position of Associate Professor of Music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts since 2016 and is also the Director of Berklee’s Vocal Summit.
Vocalist Cindy Scott, who also plays the guitar and flute, continues to teach at camps and workshops around the world in addition to her performing and touring.
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DENISE KING & THE DK COLLECTIVE
Native Philadelphia Denise King was thirteen when she was introduced to Jazz by her uncle, Herbert Tatum, who had an extensive collection of Jazz LPs. This love was further cultivated by family, when a cousin Cynthia, shared her passion for the stylings and energy of Nina Simone. Her “studies” involved hours of listening to the Jazz greats, both vocalists and instrumentalists. Denise borrowed phrasing styles from Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat “King” Cole and Frank Sinatra. She gained an appreciation for lyrics from Lil Jimmy Scott, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McCrae and Nina Simone. Listening as intensely to Jazz as she did R&B or music of her era, she had no idea that her listening sessions were preparing her for a career in music.
Denise was “discovered” by a friend who heard her singing outside of her home in Philadelphia and introduced her to the world of Jazz performance. After overcoming her terrible stage fright, Denise went on to share the stage with many legends including Bootsie Barnes, Christian McBride, Dexter Wansel, Duane Eubanks, Lonnie Plaxico, Sid Simmons, Billy Paul, and many, many more.
Tickets: $38.95
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KENNETH WHALUM
From his poignant tracks like “Might Not Be OK” to the reflective “Prayer” from Broken Land 2, Kenneth’s music is a beautiful exploration of love, longing, and self-discovery. His raw, unguarded performances bring a sense of intimacy and honesty that speaks directly to the heart, making each song feel like a personal conversation. This residency offers the perfect setting to experience the full range of Whalum’s artistry, from the soulful ballads to the thought-provoking moments of reckoning.
Whether you’re celebrating love with someone special or embracing your own journey, Kenneth’s music will create a space for reflection, connection, and pure emotional release. Don’t miss this special Valentine’s Day residency—a night where music transcends the ordinary, and vulnerability becomes the most powerful form of connection.
Band Lineup: Kenneth Whalum~vocals/saxophones, Micah Collier~bass, Frank Morrison~drums, and Julius Tucker~ piano/keyboards
Tickets:
Thursday: $25.50 – $55.50
Friday: $125.00~$145.00 | Valentine Day: Songs for Lovers” With a Tribute to Marvin Gaye & John Coltrane
Saturday: $25.50 – $55.50
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