Carmen McRae News

. Today’s leading artists gather on The Django stage to celebrate NEA Jazz Master Dr. Lonnie Smith in special back-to-back tribute concerts 12/9. Two leading pianists make their Django debut: Benito Gonzalez 12/3 followed by Orrin Evans 12/8 leading his new Brazilian project “Terreno Comun”.

The main inspiration for Waldo and Eva-Marie to include 'Two Sleepy People' on their debut collaboration album was the composer of the song himself.

Just as the indelible vibe of the legendary Burt Bacharach was beginning to take hold of our culture and become the soundtrack of everyone's lives, three-time GRAMMY nominated vocalist Denise Donatelli, then a young girl growing up in Allentown, PA, found a deep connection to Dionne Warwick's original version of “Walk on By.” 

The Sutton Place Trio featuring pianist/vocalist Alex Leonard, bassist Jay Leonhart and guitarist Al Gafa will be appearing at Pangea, Wednesday July 28, 2021 at 6 pm.

The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra (CJRO) performs the best of Count Basie and other world-renowned jazz artists on Sunday, June 6 at 2 p.m. at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80226.

New-ness is always fun, and though she has already been around a few years and people know her, Anais Reno is as shiny as a new penny... and as seasoned as one of her jazz idols. Her debut album, Lovesome Thing, is getting some well deserved attention, and this chat with her goes a little deeper into where it all comes from.

When your hear over and over about how amazing a singer is, you might grow to fear the hype. This is one time high expectations are met... with a vengeance.

What Tomorrow Brings, the new album from Cellar Music Group recording artist Alyssa Allgood has been released today on all retail and streaming platforms. Daring and personal, this wide-ranging new project is the star Chicago-based vocalist's most sophisticated offering yet.

Multi GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist/composer Arturo O'Farrill and nonprofit the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance announces today they have reached more than 1 million people in over 25 countries through their innovative 'ALJA Digital Village' programming since its launch one year ago in March 2020.

The South Orange Performing Arts Center will welcome Roberta Gambarini to its stage in the latest SOPAC Session, a virtual series highlighting an eclectic roster of superb talent.

Last season, Palm Beach Symphony added arts to the STEM curriculum to create the STEAM-powered One Small Step and fuel students' imaginations. This year, after being shown to students in Palm Beach and Broward counties as virtual field trips, One Small Step is being offered as a free virtual family concert on Saturday, March 13 at 6 p.m. 

Mosaic Records has announced the April 10, 2021 release of The Complete Louis Armstrong Columbia & RCA Victor Studio Sessions 1946 - 66, a 7-CD boxed set that will take listeners into the studio with Armstrong in a way never previously imaginable.

The full length musical, AT KC's, written by Kristina Nicole Miller (The Preacher's Wife) and Blake Allen (Folk Wandering; the shards of an honor code junkie), is a new, American tragedy discussing racial tensions through the lens of a Black-owned, Cotton Club-esque nightclub.

The Pandemic Playlist is back with a look at the people who made cabaret what it is today.

Josephine Sanges released a CD tribute to Ann Hampton Callaway and the results are, indeed, beautiful.

Need something new to read or watch? Check out this week's list of new and upcoming releases!

Welcome to the first edition of So Now You Know!  I am thrilled to have the talented and generous Nicolas King be my debut guest!! While I've known of Nicolas's talent for several years, it wasn't until this past December that I was introduced to his kind and giving nature.

Pianist/vocalist Alex Leonard will be joined by guitarist Al Gafa and bassist Jay Leonhart for an evening of jazz at the Kitano. Wednesday, April 29, 2020. The Kitano, 66 Park Ave (at East 38th) New York, NY 10016 Two sets: 8PM and 10PM. Cover $18/$20 minimum Res: 212-885-7119.

Wolfgang Muthspiel returns to the trio format with Angular Blues, his fourth ECM album as a leader, following two acclaimed quintet releases and his trio debut.

With the inspiration that Nat King Cole's tv show brought to the American public including talented singers such as Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae and many others, John Pizzarelli and Catherine Russell will be paying homage to Nat King Cole and these iconic singers with their new show, A Tribute to Nat King Cole and Ladies of Song a?" coming to the Van Wezel on Wednesday, March 18 at 8 p.m. Songs throughout the evening will include some of Nat King Cole's most memorable hits such as a?oeRoute 66,a?? a?oeStraighten Up & Fly Righta?? and a?oePaper Moona?? along with the timeless works from Ladies of Song.