|
contents | blues | |||||||||||||
| A Summer Festival Of Great Female Blues Performers One Colorado and K-JAZZ 88.1 announced the summer line-up for the fifth annual One Colorado Summer Music Festival in the Courtyard. Called Ladies Sing the Blues, the season focuses on great female blues artists like Janiva Magness, who won top honors as contemporary blues female artist of the year at the 2006 Blues Music Awards in Memphis, Tenn. Concerts are outdoors every Friday and Saturday in August and are free and open to the public. The Courtyard is located center-block between Fair Oaks, DeLacey, Colorado and Union Street in the heart of Old Pasadena. Friday, August 4: Café R&B has passion for gritty, hard-hitting early blues and R&B. This five-piece combo leaves audiences stunned with their ferocious soul stew and killer blues. Even people who say they don't like the blues will love this band, which specializes in a hard-edge sound. Lead singer Roach has been described as "intense, sensual, pouting and explosive." Cafe R&B consists of Roach, Byl Carruthers on guitar, Chris Rhyme keyboards, Ken Dooley bass, and Steve Klong, drums. Saturday, August 5: Jeanette Bazzell began her career in a St. Louis rock 'n roll band, but soon progressed to a musical review. After moving to Los Angeles, she became an Ikette when Tina left Ike & Tina Turner to pursue a solo career. Bazzell's vocal style fuses the common sensibility of blues and country, rhythm & blues and gospel, "southern soul" and a touch of Doo-Wop. For many years lead singer with San Diego-based blues and rock Backwater Blues Band, she is currently working with filmmaker Alan Swyer on two music documentaries. Friday, August 11: Barbara Morrison and the Bu-Crew. Morrison has performed with Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, and opens this summer for Kenny G. Her R&B chops come from the great Johnny Otis, and are kept keenly sharpened by performances with the Count Basie Orchestra, the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra and Doc Severinsen's band. Her new recording Live at the Dakota features jazz giants Houston Person, Junior Mance, Jacky Williams and Earl May. She is Adjunct Professor of Ethnomusicology in the jazz studies program at UCLA. Saturday, August 12: Lady G.G. & The Brown Bomber Blues Band. Lady G.G. hails from Detroit and is cousin to boxing heavyweight Joe Louis, the "Brown Bomber." She has opened for B.B. King, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson and Lowell Folsom. Her group, the Brown Bombers, is a four-piece headed by longtime Platters member Eddie Daniels. Lady G.G.'s down-home gutsy blues-style brings new interpretation to classic performers like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Tina Turner, Johnny Taylor, Jimmy Reed and Ruth Brown. Friday, August 18: Janiva Magness recently one top honors as contemporary blues female artist of the year at the 2006 Blues Music Awards in Memphis, Tenn. She's one of today's most talented and recognized blues and roots vocalists. Billboard writes "Magness carves out a niche by singing the blues with maturity and sophistication." Singer Magazine states "Her voice is sultry, smoky and strong with jazz, blues, and soul…" This 49 year-old grandmother is best known for her sauciness and the bold, brazen splendor of her recordings and performances. Saturday, August 19: Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps. Born in Houston, Texas, James now lives in Los Angeles, where she and her band, The Rhythm Tramps, have honed a unique sound. She has performed and recorded with such legendary acts as Bonnie Raitt, Randy Newman and blues artist Walter Trout. She is also a regular artist on Delbert McClinton's annual Sandy Beaches Cruise. James and her band blend Texas blues roots and southern influences to create a signature sound that makes you want to dance, and wish you could sing. Friday, August 25: Elaine Gibbs has been singing since she was 13. Like many a great R&B phenomenon, she got her start in a church choir. Those humble, early experiences still greatly influence her style and vocal abilities. She was nominated best R&B female in 2003 by the Black Music Awards. She has traveled and performed in over 25 countries, and has sung for some of the biggest names in gospel and R&B, like the late Rev. James Cleveland, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, The Gap Band and Bobby Womack -- even M.C. Hammer, Rod Stewart, and Dionne Warwick. Saturday, August 26: Linda Hopkins was born in New Orleans. A blues and gospel singer, she has been heralded for her triumphs in Jazz Train, and Broadway's The Last Minstrel Show. The most significant has been "Me and Bessie, " her highly successful musical portrayal of Bessie Smith. Hopkins has been performing since the late 40's and has recorded with Johnny Otis and Esther Phillips. The CD How Blue Can You Get was produced by Leonard Feather and Herbert Wong. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |