Lori Williams and the John Toomey Trio at Old Dominion University

Lori Williams, music educator, producer, song writer, actress, fabulous jazz and soul vocalist culminated a long weekend at Old Dominion University of master classes and performances with the jazz choir and jazz orchestra with a sold out Monday night show with the John Toomey Trio. Williams is making quite a name for herself in the soul-jazz world with her new album, A New Book, her recent appearance at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival and the upcoming two part Jazz Legacy Foundation's Decade of Excellence (Part 1 in June, Part 2 in November. The Monday night gig at Old Dominion with Toomey (piano), Jimmy Masters (bass) and Chuck Redd (drums) was old school straight ahead jazz. Williams puts her acting chops to good use no matter the song. She could be carefree and airy, dark and mysterious whether singing about lost love or found love, her hands and face tell the story as much as her voice.

Here are photos from the concert.