50 SHADES OF O: ORRIN EVANS
50 SHADES OF O: Orrin Evans’ 50th Birthday Celebration with the Orrin Evans Trio and special guest vocalist Ms. Lisa Fischer! Orrin Evans and his 2x Grammy-nominated Captain Black Big Band released and will be performing music from their new studio album, Walk A Mile In My Shoe!
For more than two decades, Yamaha pianist Orrin Evans has made an art form of the unexpected. With more than 25 albums to his credit without ever relying on the support of a major label, Evans has become the model of a fiercely independent artist who’s made a habit of rattling the jazz world’s confining cages. That determination has paid off in accolades like topping the “Rising Star Pianist” category in the 2018 DownBeat Critics Poll and two Grammy nominations. As an adventurous composer he traverses stylistic boundaries with abandon, drawing on full-throttle swing, deep rooted blues, expressive soul or bracing excursions into the avant-garde.
After four decades of featured background singing with icons like Luther Vandross, The Rolling Stones, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, and Nine Inch Nails, Ms. Lisa Fischer set out to take center stage with her own humble, heartfelt song. The 2013 Best Documentary Oscar winning film “Twenty Feet from Stardom” altered the course of Lisa’s musical journey, telling her story, with clips of her legendary duets with Sting or with Mick Jagger on “Gimme Shelter”, left audiences eager to see and hear more.
The Lineup:
Ms. Lisa Fischer ~ vocals
Orrin Evans ~ piano
Robert Hurst ~ bass
Jeff “Tain” Watts ~ drums
Tickets: $45.00 ~ $55.00 + fee | Streaming: 6:00pm Only ~ $15.00 + fee
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CATHERINE RUSSELL
My Ideal, a breathtaking new album from acclaimed GRAMMY®-nominated vocalist Catherine Russell and prodigious pianist Sean Mason. This modern classic marks a significant milestone in both artists’ careers, capturing a powerful and intimate musical dialogue. My Ideal elevates their partnership to new heights, featuring a complete set of voice-and-piano duets that hark back to classic jazz traditions.
Since her debut solo album in 2006, Catherine Russell has captivated audiences with her rich, soulful voice and exceptional interpretative skills, with her eight previous solo albums garnering critical acclaim. Catherine has toured and recorded with Carrie Smith, Steely Dan, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Michael Feinstein, Levon Helm, Toshi Reagon and Rosanne Cash, among others, appearing on over 200 albums.
Tickets: $45.00 ~ $55.00 + fee | Streaming: 6:00pm Only ~ $15.00 + fee
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The Jazz Voyager
The nation’s capital is this week’s destination as the Jazz Voyager departs the warm climes of South Florida for a more frigid weather experience ranging in the thirties. But jazz only knows two temperatures — cool and hot and the latter will be warming up the room at Blues Alley this Thursday with two shows at 7:00 and 9:30pm.
Wife and husband team Jean and Marcus comprise The Baylor Project which hail out of New York City are taking the stage this week. They have been nominated for four Grammy awards and continually pay homage to their wide-ranging musical influences. In doing so they generate an eclectic sound whose overall effect is spiritual, buoyant, and feel good music.
Tickets: $35 + $7 fee
Food and Beverage: $15 Minimum Per Person
Blues Alley’s address is 1073 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007. For more information visit bluesalley.com.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
LaVerne Butler was born on February 25, 1962 in Shreveport, Louisiana. The daughter of saxophonist Scott Butler, she was extensively exposed to jazz and rhythm and blues music and with a lot of encouragement from her father.
Leaving Shreveport for New Orleans, Louisiana she attended the University of New Orleans. During this period LaVerne became a fixture in the city’s Dixieland and bebop venues singing with Ellis Marsalis, Alvin Batiste, Henry Butler ( no relation) and James Black, among others. A move to New York City in 1984 had her working as an English teacher, singing in clubs and studying with jazz veteran Jon Hendricks.
Her musical influences were Nancy Wilson and Sarah Vaughan. In 1992 she recorded her debut album No Looking Back for Chesky Records. Her sophomore album for the label was Day Dreamin’ , then planned on signing with Herbie Mann’s Kokopelli label in 1997, but that fell through when the company experienced financial problems. She then was brought into the MaxJazz label for two albums and finally landed with HighNote Records for her 2012 release Love Lost and Found Again.
Vocalist LaVerne Butler, who has yet to receive the recognition her talent deserves, continues to perform around the country.
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CHRISTIE GRACE
Christie Grace returns to Frankie’s, showcasing Burt Bacharach’s classics with her signature velvety voice Paul Shaffer describes as “sweet honey & fine wine.” Following last summer’s sold-out show, she and her stellar band bring soulful new facets to these cherished songs. Jazz legend Sheila Jordan captures Christie’s evocative essence: “When I hear Christie sing, I believeevery word. She’s beautiful and then some”.
The Band: Christie Grace – vocals, Tom Arntzen – piano/vocals, Bill Runge – tenor sax/ flute, Conrad Good – bass, Buff Allen – drums.
Tickets: $23.00
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