Next month Antoinette Montague, in her melodic majesty, will return to Syracuse to play the Black History Month Cabaret for the Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation.
For her February 15 show Montague will be accompanied by guitarist Solomon Hicks (aka King Solomon).
Vocalist Tamaralee Shutt
Here are some photos from last night’s Sitrus Evening of Jazz at the Sheraton Hotel. Tamaralee put together a smooth but pretty eclectic group.
Jimmy Goulb
Matthew Rockwell
Carl Lovell
Nancy Kelly, the first lady of the Syracuse jazz scene will be a featured artist at this weekend’s January Jazz Fest. Below listen to a sample of 12 Bar Blues from last year’s gig.
Howard University Senior George Kilpatrick, III showed his vocal range at Jazz Central
Maybe one of our most under appreciated venues is Jazz Central on Washington Street. Thankfully, during the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival the stage comes alive with improvisation and the soundscape of creativity. The student performances are some of the best.
Dancing Stars
Joanne Bakeman, vocalist
Chris Taylor, singer
We got the opportunity to interview country singer Chris Taylor at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que after his Syracuse Sandy Relief Concert set on Sunday. We saw his band perform previously at the Taste of Syracuse in Clinton Square. Taylor was born in Kentucky, has lived in Indiana, but says he found his love for country music while in Potsdam, New York.
See our brief conversation below.
Jazz Singer Gregory Porter, Soul to the Bone
Saxophone-legend Kenny G may have been the headliner for the first night of Syracuse Jazz Fest on Friday, but Grammy-nominated vocalist Gregory Porter stole the show.
A self-described preachers kid, Gregory impressed those in attendance at Jamesville Beach with songs such as Be Good, On My Way to Harlem, and Mother’s Song. These Sophistasoultastic cuts conjure up images of the Cosby Show of the 80s, Spike Lee’s early films and even the choreography of Garth Fagan.
His song-writing is vivid and his performance high spirited.
To call Porter a jazz singer may be restrictive. His mature and robust sound may be jazz, but it’s corseted in soul and the cadence of his church rearing.
Gregory Porter, a singer’s singer
Some singers are vanguards. Nat had it. Donny had it. Ray had it. Sam had it. Stevie has it and yes Porter too, has that vibe of a pioneer.
Jazz Fest Producer Frank Malfitano even said he was one of the most talented jazz singers of the last 3 decades.
During the finale Porter mesmerized the crowd with 1960 What, a homage to cities such as Detroit. Coincidentally, Malfitano used to produce that city’s Jazz Fest.
New fans showered Porter with appreciation during an impromptu meet-and-greet beside the stage following his set. Many shared their disbelief that they weren’t familiar with this man.
From now on his reputation in Syracuse is all good.
Take 6 on stage at Holy Cross Church
Multiple Grammy-award winners Take 6 came to the area last week and performed two concerts, one at Hamilton College and another at Holy Cross Church in Dewitt.
Join the Band: Joey Kibble of Take 6 gets the crowd involved at Holy Cross Church
The Holy Cross performance was sponsored by LeMoyne College.
Take 6 newcomer Christian Dentley channels Jazzy Jeff on the turntables and then a 1980’s Michael Jackson.
Take 6 wowed the crowd with their vocal antics and stage show. Their set included songs from earlier albums as well as songs they did for films. The group also delighted fans by singing a medley of familiar pop music favorites Earth Wind& Fire, the Doobie Brothers and Michael Jackson.
Harmony: Alvin and Claude
During a break, Claude McKnight III and Alvin Chea encouraged everyone take out their phones and hit up Take 6 on Twitter and Facebook, which met the approval of both the young and old.
Please turn back on all cell phones
Local groups Gospel Music Workshop of America (Syracuse Chapter) and Fermata Nowhere served as a great appetizer.
GM Workshop of America’s LaRae Martin-Coore
LaRae Martin-Coore belted out a soulful solo for the GM Workshop and turned the crowd into a hallelujah chorus.
Fermata Nowhere, Lemonyne College’s a capella group, also didn’t disappoint, especially Albany junior Devon Barrett’s staccato human beatbox.
Fermata Nowhere (with Devon Barrett on the beatbox)
Jackie Warren-Moore (left) and her daughter Andrea Moore perform together at Metro Lounge
Vocalist Nicole Henry at the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival