CYRUS CHESTNUT WITH EKEP NKWELLE
A masterful jazz pianist and Baltimore native, Cyrus Chestnut balances his lithe technical skill with a robust, soulful style that speaks to his deep gospel roots and love of swinging hard bop. Raised in the church, he learned how to infuse his swinging, classically trained style with a warm gospel sound, a style that first marked his work as a sideman, backing legendary vocalists Jon Hendricks and Betty Carter, as well as with instrumentalists like Donald Harrison and Wynton Marsalis. The future is bright with great possibilities for Cyrus.
Ekep Nkwelle is a 24-year-old, Cameroonian-American, jazz vocalist from Washington, DC, living in New York City. A part of the promising future of jazz, Ekep Nkwelle is one of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s latest rising stars, and with her artistry, she strives to display her passion for music all around the world. She has worked with jazz masters such as Russell Malone, Cyrus Chestnut, Wynton Marsalis, and Peter Washington, as well as young, well-respected musicians such as Emmet Cohen and Endea Owens.
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MALA WALDRON
One Breath Rising presents: Mala Waldron & Soulful Sound
The Mala Waldron & Soulful Sound (the Soulful Sound Quartet) is a group of internationally acclaimed jazz virtuosos headed by jazz vocalist/pianist/composer Waldron, the daughter of renowned pianist/composer, Mal Waldron and goddaughter of Billie Holiday. The group has been performing together for 20 years locally and abroad in such places as China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Italy, among others. Their repertoire is a sophisticated blend of soulful jazz originals and arrangements of Mala’s favorite composers. Their style is flavored with the influences of many genres including Latin/Jazz, Calypso, Gospel, R&B and Pop. The band features: Steve Salerno on guitar, Michael T.A. Thompson on drums, and Marcus Mclaurine on bass.
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MALA WALDRON QUARTET
Pianist, vocalist and educator Mala Waldron comes to Stony Brook, NY for the Harbor Jazz Festival and hits the Jazz Loft Lawn for an evening performance with her quartet.
A native of NYC whose first paid gig was playing keys and singing back-up vocals with a local R&B band, “Liquid Pleasure” at the Elk’s club at age 15. Shortly after joining, the band was signed to RCA records Midland International.
She later enrolled at SUNY, Old Westbury study African-American Music Makanda Ken McIntyre, Richard Harper, Andrei Strobert, Warren Smith and Amina Claudine Myers, earning a Bachelors Degree.
The Band: Mala Waldron ~ Piano | Michael T.A. Thompson ~ Drums | Marcus McLaurine ~ Bass | Steve Salerno ~ Guitar
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Nadine Chase was born August 23rd and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. A versatile vocalist over the years, she has performed with her trio and big band orchestras in many of Boston’s finer hotels and jazz clubs.
Each year, she and her trio volunteer their time and talents to Brookline’s First Light celebration to help support the arts in Brookline schools. They play major fundraisers for the Fenway Community Health Center and perform at inaugural celebrations and special events.
She is active in the Institute of Noetic Sciences, and the Society for Organizational Learning about creativity in business and assisting individuals to help find their voice. In 2001 she recorded and released her debut album Cut To The Chase which was nominated for a Grammy as Best Jazz Vocal Album.
Vocalist Nadine Chase, who is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, the Boston Musicians Local 9-535, and the Boston Association of Cabaret Artists, continues to perform.
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The Jazz Voyager
Since I’ve been hanging out in the Big Apple for two weeks, I thought I’d head upstate to Tarrytown for a change of seasons and take in the fall colors that are always so beautiful. This week I’ll be at the Lyndhurst Mansion overlooking the Hudson River on the land that was originally hunting grounds of the indigenous Lenape/Munsee tribe that were the first inhabitants of the Hudson Valley. I’m traveling to this location to partake in the Summer Concert Series promoted by the Jazz Forum Arts.
The concert series is free but there is a ten dollar fee to enter the estate. Little expense to view the grounds and be entertained by swing/bop vocalist Nancy Kelly who is headlining this evening. I love being introduced to new places and performers I’ve never heard before. This should prove to be an amazing time.
Lyndhurst is located at 635 S Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591. For more information visit https://www.jazzforumarts.org.
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