Results for "san francisco"

Nicolas Bearde

Born: September 15, 1960

Recording artist, Nicolas Bearde is an award winning vocalist, whose silky baritone sound, wit and engaging rapport draws the audience into his live performances. Nicolas has 6 CD's out on his own label, Right Groove Records. His most recent album, “I Remember You : The Music of Nat King Cole" released on August 30, 2019, featuring special guest and sax great, Eric Alexander, rose quickly to the Top 20 on the Jazz Week Charts, garnering rave reviews at home and abroad. 

Nicolas is also the featured vocalist on sax legend Vincent Herring's chart-topping  CD, “Hard Times"  as well as the vocalist and narrator with Vincent’s "Story of Jazz Orchestra"  a 10 piece ensemble of jazz luminaries( Eric Alexander, James Carter, Jon Faddis, Jeremy Pelt, Steve Turre, Mike LeDonne, Kenny Davis and Carl Allen) who travel the world presenting Jazz music's 100+ year history. 

Clif Payne

Born: June 8

"THE VOICE OF SILK & SOUL"
Harlem-born and classically trained, Clif has one of the most beautiful voices in music today. Discovered by jazz icon Bobby McFerrin, Clif has opened in concert for Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Dionne Warwick and has performed with Freda Payne, Sly & The Family Stone saxophonist Jerry Martini, Harvey Mason, pianist/arranger Laurence Hobgood, Ledisi, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Sheena Easton, Randy Jackson, Tower Of Power, keyboardist David Sancious, saxophonist Dave Koz, former Chicago lead vocalist Bill Champlain, the LA acapella ensemble Inner Voices and jazz fusionists Hiroshima. He has also shared the stage with Dianne Reeves, The Commodores, Mary Wilson, Shelia E. and Lakeside. Clif's album credits include George Benson, Little Anthony, En Vogue vocalist Maxine Jones, saxophonists Gerald Albright and Dave Coz, Phil Perry and Arsenio Hall Show music director Victoria Theodore. Pop superstar Katy Perry, pianist Taylor Egsti and trumpeter Chris Botti are among the celebs who have been in Clif's audiences. As a guitarist, Clif has backed impressionist Rich Little, legendary disc jockey Wolfman Jack, Danny Gans and former Platters lead vocalist Sonny Turner.

Peter Horvath

Born: June 5

Contemporary jazz pianist, keyboardist and composer, Peter Horvath has been perfecting his craft since the age of six when he began taking classical piano lessons. Born in Budapest, Hungary, he attended the Bela Bartok Conservatory of Music. At age 17, he won the National Jazz Combo Competition in Hungary and two years later moved to Austria to attend the Vienna Conservatory of Music. In 1983, Peter moved to the United States, where he studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has since performed, recorded and toured nationally and worldwide with a long line of world-class artist, including jazz greats Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Henderson, Richie Cole, Ernie Watts, Eddie Henderson, Charles McPherson, Benny Maupin, the Victor Bailey Group, Lenny White, Arturo Sandoval, Randy Brecker, Marcus Miller, Pee Wee Ellis Funk Assembly, Bob Mintzer, Bob Sheppard, Craig Handy, Tiger Okoshi, Lalah Hathaway, Melba Moore, Ledisi, Keith Washington, Rosie Gaines, Ray Obiedo, Pete Escovedo and the Oakland Symphony

Laura Karst

Music critics and fans praise Laura Karst’s warm and smooth alto voice, her interpretation of lyrics as a true storyteller, and her versatility as a singer of a wide range of jazz styles, and in a variety of languages. She can swing hard and scat, or get an infectious bossa nova or samba groove going, and she will hold you emotionally captive as she sings her ballads.

San Francisco Bay Area jazz vocalist Laura Karst used to surprise her audiences when they learned that, by day, she was the chair of a prominent college’s French department, up until her retirement in 2017

Karen Marguth

Born: December 29

A Bay Area resident for most of her life, Karen Marguth has been receiving rave reviews since the release of her eponymous album in 2009. Jazz Magazine wrote: "Great big talent, much too small a pond...Karen is one of the finest American jazz vocalists you've likely yet to discover." DownBeat gave her album a rare four-and-a- half stars, saying she's "...a spiritual grandchild of hipness highness Annie Ross. She swings fiercely, and scats with a proper abandon." And Jazz Magazine of France included her on their list of the 101 best chanteuses of all time, saying "She has all the qualities of a great jazz singer." Andrew Gilbert listed her bass/vox duo album among his list of the Best of the Bay Area, 2015.

Fil Lorenz

Born and raised in San Francisco, saxophonist Fil Lorenz has been active on the Bay Area music scene since returning from military service in 1998. From touring the world as a member of the Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey orchestras to performing with artists Seal, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Howard Tate, Bobby Caldwell and many others, Lorenz draws from a wide range of musical experiences. As a saxophonist, Lorenz favors the broad-toned tenor sounds of Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis and Houston Person; baritone saxophonists Pepper Adams and Ronnie Cuber have provided a lifetime of inspiration.

Josh Jones

Drummer & Percussionist Josh Jones is recognized internationally from his touring with such jazz greats as Don Cherry, Steve Coleman, Omar Sosa and Peter Apfelbaum. He currently tours with Jacqui Naylor. Josh's recent recording projects include the soundtrack to the movie "La Mission," as well as albums with Larry Coryell, Phil Ranelin, and Jacqui Naylor. Other notable recordings include Yosvanny Terry and Columna B, Peter Apfelbaum, Steve Bernstein, Chico Freeman, Arthur Blythe, Tupac Shakur, Goapele, Zion-I, Taj Mahal, Bob Weir and AfroCuba de Matanzas. Josh continues to perform with his various ensembles at clubs and festivals in the Bay Area and remains an influence on and supporter of jazz in the community.

Marty Williams

Bay Area jazz pianist and vocalist, Marty Williams, was called "The Catalyst" by San Francisco Chronicle critic Phil Elwood. Anna DeLeon of Anna's Jazz Island said: "Marty Williams is one of the Bay Area's treasures. His piano playing and singing are passionate, humorous, and unique. Think Oscar Brown Jr. plus Mose Allison plus Monk with just a dash of Redd Foxx! Yes, unique!" Marty's formal training came well after he received his "calling" — he tells the story of listening to Ahmad Jamal's album "Voices" as a turning point for him. Listening to that album and pondering the questions a young man faces in his life, Marty knew his destiny was to play the piano

Angie Doctor

Jennifer Bryce

Born: July 27

Recording artist, Jennifer Bryce "At Last") serves up a cocktail of classic jazz, originals and vintage and contemporary pop & soul a la Tuck and Patti with a shot of Aretha, Annie Lennox and John Mayer stirred in. While her tone and phrasing has been compared to Sarah Vaughn, legendary gospel singer, Dr. Horace Boyer called her delivery “testifyin” and avant garde singer Meredith Monk says “Jennifer has an unusual musical gift.” Jennifer has toured domestically and in Europe and is the recipient of a Whammie Award for her vocal stylings. Jennifer Bryce was moved to sing at age 7 when she first heard a recording of Ella Fitzgerald