Jazz Articles about Nnenna Freelon

Nnenna Freelon and Evidence Dance Celebrate Lady Day at Apollo Premiere

by Daniel Kassell
December 8, 2007

Nnenna Freelon, Ronald K. Brown and Evidence Dance Company The Blueprint of a Lady Apollo Theater, NYC November 10, 2007

Subtitled “The Once and Future Life of Billie Holiday," a concept of vocalist Nnenna Freelon in collaboration with choreographer-dancer Ronald K. Brown and his Evidence Dance Company, the occasion was introduced by Jonelle Procope, President of the Apollo Foundation, as the “the first Art & Soul presentation of The Apollo Performing Arts Series.

Nnenna Freelon: Blueprint of a Lady

by Jim Santella
November 1, 2005

Nnenna Freelon and Billie Holiday have many things in common. Both possess a unique vocal timbre that's instantly identifiable. Both have worked with superb accompanists who honor the jazz tradition admirably. And both interpret songs with the kind of deep feeling that endears each performance to our hearts. We can't help falling in love with their performances.

With her sixth Concord release, which comes highly recommended, Freelon sings the songs that Billie Holiday left us. “Don't Explain" and ...

Nnenna Freelon: Blueprint of a Lady: Sketches of Billie Holiday

by Ken Franckling
October 14, 2005

Nnenna Freelon's latest project pays tribute to singer Billie Holiday in the best possible way--without imitation and putting her own interpretations on material written by or associated with Lady Day. Her band, adjusted to fit the mood of each song, skillfully complements her at every turn. Freelon's phrasing and vocal clarity contribute to an overall feeling that is more positive than Holiday's often dark and plaintive renditions of the same material. Interspersed within this tribute are three ...

Nnenna Freelon: Tales of Wonder: Celebrating Stevie Wonder

by Dave Nathan
October 1, 2002

For her latest album, Nnenna Freelon has set aside what she calls the music of her parents to pay tribute to one of the most talented artists of her day, Stevie Wonder. For me, this album is a curious homage. Instead of capturing the joy of Wonder's music, Freelon sings as if she were worshiping at a temple erected to honor of the composer. The arrangements are heavy, spiritual and muddy, lacking any crispness. Some of her interpretations of Wonder's ...

Nnenna Freelon: Tales Of Wonder: Celebrating Stevie Wonder

by Jim Santella
September 1, 2002

By interpreting these songs in her own jazz style, Nnenna Freelon has given them new life. Sure, there’s a drummer’s backbeat and lots of surround-sound harmony floating around her. But each piece takes on a slower appearance in Freelon’s hands. She soothes each one into a lush ballad that writhes and circles its path over a sullen winter landscape or an expansive oceanfront sand path. Even “My Cherie Amour” hesitates somewhat between phrases to permit Freelon’s trademark form of expression. ...

Nnenna Freelon: Soulcall

by Mathew Bahl
November 1, 2000

Nnenna Freelon’s high profile self-titled recording debut on Columbia Records in 1992 prematurely vaulted the young singer onto the national jazz stage. Unfortunately, Ms. Freelon was still in the process of developing her style and a major record label like Columbia proved to be a less than ideal environment for a singer with growing pains. It wasn’t until signing with Concord Jazz in 1996 that Ms. Freelon truly began to find her own voice. Her two previous Grammy-nominated CDs for ...

Nnenna Freelon: Soulcall

by AAJ Staff
November 1, 2000

Slowly but surely, Nnenna Freelon is forging her own distinctive identity in the minds of listeners through her singular voice and through the uplifting messages inherent in her CD's.Now that Concord is giving her free reign to produce her own CD's, Freelon has chosen to sing about the ultimate uplift: the basis and the optimism of her faith. While her last CD, “Maiden Voyage," concerned itself with the stages of a woman's life with unflinching honesty, “Soulcall" elaborates ...