Jazzmobile Kicks-off Vocalfest in Harlem, 4/9

Jazzmobile Presents Vocalfest --- four weekends in April paying homage to Jazz Appreciation Month. New to Jazzmobile's events this year, Vocalfest is a month-long celebration paying tribute to jazz vocalists of the past and present. Starting Friday, April 9, Lynette Washington, winner of Jazzmobile's 2005 Jazz Vocal Competition, will perform. Lynette has worked with artists such as Aretha Franklin, U2, and Peter Gabriel. Cynthia Holiday, a New Jersey native and contemporary jazz singer, will follow on Saturday, April 10.

Additional performers include Gregory Generet and Lezlie Harrison for April 16 and 17, as well as Gregory Porter and Ebony Jo-Ann for April 23 and 24. Vocalfest's fourth weekend will conclude with three nights of performances starting Thursday, April 29 through Saturday, May 1. Hosted by Cynthia Holiday, these final performances will pay tribute to the three famous vocalists Alberta Hunter, Billy Eckstine and Gloria Lynne.

Performances for the first three weekends (April 9-24) will be held Fridays and Saturdays at Showman's located at 375 w. 125th street, Harlem, NYC. Shows are from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm. The finale weekend (April 29-May 1) will be held Thursday through Sunday at Harlem Stage Gatehouse located at 150 Covenant Avenue in Harlem. Shows start at 7:30 pm. All Tickets are $10, and can be purchased by calling 212-281-9240 xt 19 or 20. For more information, as well as a complete list of performers for Vocalfest, visit jazzmobile.org.