Artist Spotlight
Cassandra Wilson
Over the last two decades Cassandra Wilson has emerged as one of the most celebrated jazz singers in the world—and with one album a year since 1985, she also ranks as one of the most prolific. Because of her openness to experimentation with grooves and repertoire, Wilson's work over the years has expanded our definition of what vocal jazz is—and perhaps in some ways has
called into question whether vocal jazz has any defining characteristics at all.
Ernestine Anderson
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: ERNESTINE ANDERSON
“She can sing the blues, and she can sing a ballad. She can swing you out of the country!”
--Etta James
Curtis Fuller
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: CURTIS FULLER “What is as remarkable about Curtis Fuller as his lyrical improvising and ingenious writing is his personality. On the road, on stage, or in the studio, Curtis is a relaxed professional who lifts every situation with his incredible sense of humor and his natural sparkle.” Michael Cuscuna, record producer and writer
Johnny Mercer
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT – JOHNNY MERCER
IN CELEBRATION OF THE CENTENNIAL OF HIS BIRTH
“I suppose the reason for my being a songwriter is largely due to my childhood in Savannah…. I can remember so many things about it, all connected with music in various ways…. Although
I have never written a song directly about Savannah, so many of my lyrics are filled with boyhood images that you might say they all spring from there.”
Benny Golson
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: BENNY GOLSON
“In a sense, artists like Benny Golson may represent what modern jazz would have been had the bebop revolution not taken place under the sign of radical innovation.” -David H. Rosenthal
Horace Silver
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: HORACE
SILVER
“Horace Silver’s music has always represented what jazz musicians preach but don’t necessarily practice, and that’s simplicity. It sticks to the memory; it’s very singable. It gets in your blood easily; you can comprehend it easily. It’s very rooted, very soulful.”
