September 2, 2018
Kyle Turner & Friends
featuring Michael Ward,
Theresa Grayson, Pamela Hart
with host Jabari Warfield
This combination of saxophone from Kyle Turner, Michael Ward on the violin, saxophonist & singer, Theresa Grayson, and singer Pamela Hart is the perfect mix for a dynamic evening of smooth jazz, blues, and a little old school R&B. Get ready to shout for more!
Kyle Turner is a creative and innovative artist that has warmed the hearts of many with the sultry musical notes birthed from his instrument, the saxophone. His musical career has provided him the opportunity to share the stage with such artist as Luther Vandross, Johnny Taylor, Bobby Lyle, Joe Sample, Kirk Whalum, Regina Belle, Al Jarreau, and Michael Henderson. He has been extremely active as a music educator and lecturer in the Houston Independent School District and as an artist in Residence at Texas Southern University. As a result of his success in music performance and music education, Turner was honored in the 2008 and 2010 editions of Who’s Who in Black Houston.
Michael Ward is one of the few instrumental musicians who has chosen to play jazz the violin. He has performed with some of the world’s top entertainers throughout his career including Wynton Marsalis, Lionel Hampton, Ronnie Laws, Al Hirt, Najee, and Kirk Whalum. He has been documented on more than fifty different recordings covering several styles from Jazz to Blues, Country and Zydeco, Cajun, Pop and Hip Hop. His three releases, “Just Me,” “Laid Back,” and “Make a Wish,” were featured in Downbeat and Jazz Times Magazines.
Playing soprano and tenor sax and flute and singing, Theresa Grayson explores multiple facets of jazz, from contemporary urban to straight-ahead trio jazz. She’s since shared the stage and opened for notable contemporary jazz stars like Peter White, Marion Meadows, Mindi Abair, and Ronnie Laws, as well as vocalists Michael Bolton and Will Downing. From the socially conscious, spoken word intro on the jazzy grooving track “Atmosphere,” through the multicultural fusion of “World Kall” (featuring chanting vocals, Eastern instrumentation, African percussion, Latin guitar, violin, and tropical vibes), Grayson devotes herself to a mission to make her full length collection, World Blue, a true global journey celebrating the multi-cultural magic of music.
Pamela Hart is highly regarded as Austin’s finest jazz vocalist and noted by Austin Women’s Magazine as “Austin’s First Lady of Jazz.” Audiences rave about her excellent pitch, clarity, and soothing vocal quality. Her sultry rendition of classic jazz standards and contemporary music wins immediate acceptance by any audience. Hart gracefully dances on stage with the music, her radiant voice, and showcases her effervescence and vocal range. Offstage, she has been active in music for 20 years and willingly contributes to the community, expressing her graciousness and giving ways as well as her artistic endeavors. She has significant performance credits by notable artists and shared the stage with Miss Nancy Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Patrice Rushen, Kirk Whalum, Rachelle Ferrell, Norman Brown, and Richard Elliot. Hart is a beautiful woman who steals the heart of any music aficionado.
Don’t miss this End of Summer Jazz Treat evening as Kyle Turner and Friends perform for you at the beautiful One World Theatre.
Information: For more information, visit www.womeninjazz.org. This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
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