The Fourth Annual New Mexico Jazz Festival
Old Town Albuquerque Block Party
presented in partnership with the City of Albuquerque
Cultural Affairs’ Old Town New Fun Series
& Mayor Martin J. Chávez
The Jazz Singers: Tommy Gearhart • Hillary Smith & Soul Kitchen • Cathryn McGill
It’s a celebration of three wonderful and diverse New Mexico jazz vocalists. First off, it’s Tommy Gearhart a young vocal talent who is originally from Detroit. Gearhart has put together a set consisting of original lyrics put to existing obscure organ jazz melodies (Larry Young, Don Patterson, Bill Heid, and Wes Montgomery), and some fresh arrangements of a few long-forgotten, beautiful jazz standards. It’s soul-stirring, foot-tapping, groove-influenced, swing-infested jazz with Steve Figueroa, Hammond B3 organ; Tony Cesarano, guitar; and Chase Ellison, drums.
Next, it’s one of New Mexico’s vocal treasures, Hillary Smith with her latest, popular blues-drenched project, Soul Kitchen with guitarists/songwriters Chris Dracup and Tommy Elskes.
The evening closes with another NM vocal star, Cathryn McGill, whose gospel inspired, “straight out of the church” performance style has been described as "electrifying, gospel-cooked jazz and blues." She’ll be accompanied by Stu MacAskie, keyboards; Howard Cloud, bass; and Chase Ellison, drums.
FREE!
