A moving and eclectic project involving Jazz legend Thelonious Monk’s most prized compositions performed by Los Angeles’s most talked about Jazz musicians,vocalists, poets and dancers. Follow this blog for all information forthcoming.
If you’re interested in participation as co-sponsor, artist or media email me. blues2jazz2003@yahoo.com attn: Robert J. Carmack
The lovely and talented singer-multi-instrumentalist, Shana Tucker makes her first trip into the motor city,binging her special brand of Chamber Soul to
CLIFF BELL’S Thursday, October 22, 2015 @ 8 & 9:30 PM 2030 Park Avenue, Detroit MI 48226
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CLIFF BELL’S, the historic downtown jazz club (a few blocks from the Windsor Tunnel). Supported by a stellar rhythm section, Detroit’s Finest: Jon Dixon (piano/keys), Kamau (bass), and Alex White (drums), it’s all going down this THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, with two sets at 8:00 and 9:30 PM..
~ The Bill Heid Piano Trio ~
“Her voice alone would support a career. What makes Tucker special is her adherence to the cello, boldly taking the instrument into new territory.” -INDYWEEK.COM
Shana Tucker is a singer-songwriter and cellist who credits her genre-bending ChamberSoul™ journey to the influences of her jazz and classical roots, interwoven with 80’s & 90’s pop music, movie soundtracks, and world music.
Shana’s journey as a solo artist began in 2009, when she arrived in Durham, NC and quickly became a staple in the vibrant Triangle music scene. INDYWEEK.COM writes, “Indeed, crossovers and connections are a central theme of Tucker’s career, from the cello’s liminal range to her interests in various genres.
Her debut album SHiNE corrodes the music industry boundaries between classical, jazz, folk, R&B and soul. Triangle Arts & Entertainment notes Shana as “a complex musician who offers not only a world-class voice that rivals that of Cleo Laine or Diana Krall, but also is an accomplished cellist…able to compete with musicians who make their living simply by playing one instrument…”she carves out a space that is intrinsically hers”.
“Stephanie Spruill is phenomenal.I met her in the mid – 70s when she was starting out in L.A .at some sessions she was singing on for my cousins Larry and Fonce Mizell. She was gorgeous and did not need a microphone to raise the roof in the room..Wow!”
Don Mizell-Executive Producer/Lawyer-Entertainment Intellectual Property
While counting down to Saturday, October 3 at The GRAMMY MUSEUM, Angelenos are making this show for legendary entertainer, Stephanie Spruill, the hottest ticket in town. Without a doubt, the multi-award winning songbird will make her way to the stage at 7pm and declare the concert an official “ Stephanie Spruill JAZZ DAY” event.
Steph seated at the Piano
With all the Grammy consideration buzz swirling around her latest CD entitled, It’s a JAZZ DAY, Saturday’s performances are slated to be must-see entertainment.
Clive Davis Theater 800 W. Olympic Blvd Los Angeles CA Grammy Museum
Most of the evening’s tunes will feature a diverse set of compositions including the title-track penned by singer/songwriter, Brenda Russell. The new CD promises to offer something for everybody’s musical palate with various genres, rhythms and grooves. Two of Pop,Jazz and Soul’s biggest names are working also on this CD with Stephanie, Patrice Rushen and Brenda Russell.Team Stephanie promises a jamming good time inside the Clive Davis Theater.
Named after the longtime music mogul, Clive Davis. It was Davis himself personally signing Stephanie as part of a duet(Saint & Stephanie) at Arista Records.Prior to signing with the world famous record executive Clive Davis,The Pair were known as “Stuff & Ramjett”.
Stephanie sitting amongst her Record Award Wall of Fame
It’s easy to say.. I played a gig with so and so, or I sung on that session, when you speak to some of the talent here in Los Angeles but, I have been around a long time, I found it very hard to find anybody, who has not worked with, or collaborated with Stephanie Spruill. From the very urban and soulful Young Saints Ensemble, to Glenn Campbell, to Quincy Jones, Donald Byrd,to name a few of the Hit makers/movers and shakers.
This amazing lady has swung on both coasts, traveled the globe hundreds of times performing for kings, queens and princesses, all types of royalty. She’s probably one of only a handful that has performed for three(3) different presidential administrations at the white house.
In order to understand a little bit about the magnitude of Stephanie Spruill’s passion for music , you need to go all the way back to her early childhood days as a Cello student at El Segundo Elementary school, a fellow High school and elementary classmate had this to say about young Stephanie..
Fran Shepard-Elementary & High school classmate
Stephanie was 1st chair cello in the orchestra at El Segundo Elementary School. She was an excellent cellist! She had taken private lessons which allowed her to play at an elevated level, with higher, more complex fingering skills and bowing technique.
She also played in the Compton Civic Youth Orchestra. A mix of kids from all the schools in Compton! I just remember how driven she was towards excellence in music. She continued to grow with the cello, and became quite accomplished!
David Crawford-Centennial High School classmate & Professional Musician/Arranger “Yes it was with Stephanie that I had my first experience in accompanying a vocalist and that was back in High School. Her confidence in her vocal skills and committed focus in music was inspiring and admired by me, and many others. It has been a blessing to know we can still play a role in each other’s professional careers and life. Wishing Stephanie, my long time friend and colleague continued success.”
R.J. Carmack-Centennial High School Jazz Band-3 years Rhythm Warriors/Saxophonist – I remember Stephanie as a standout in the two high school talent shows, choral group performances,& countless records soundtracks & voice-overs made over the years. After decades of helping everyone else to awards and Gold/Platinum recordings..Just like the kid’s game we all played growing up, Tag, You it!! Its Your turn Stephanie, It’s a Jazz Day!
Stephanie Spruill
For additional information on Ms. Stephanie Spruill click on link below
(click on the link above to access the radio program)
Radio programming produced and hosted by James Graves
McCoy Tyner with Robert J. Carmack
Robert J. Carmack Editor in Chief,Hipster Sanctuary.Com.
Robert grew up in Los Angeles (Watts & Compton) and has spent almost five decades in entertainment as musician, actor,producer ,writer and photo/journalist across many genres including Jazz, Soul/R&B and Blues. Co-founded The Paul Robeson Players, The Atlanta International Jazz Society, The SFBAAAM (San Francisco Bay-Area African American Musicians)works as publicist,promoter and producer for live concerts and awards shows.
An expert in Jazz & blues history, Robert studied Music, Communications and Theater Arts in college. He holds a Bachelors of Arts Degree from California State University Dominguez Hills. A passionate patron of Youth in the Fine Arts & Education.