In a concert you might not find in New York, let alone anywhere else in the country, the Mainstay in Rock Hall, MD has brought together sultry, bluesy vocalist Sharón Clark, premier bassist and vocalist Nicki Parrott, rising trumpet star and vocalist Bria Skonberg along with the Redd Brothers, Robert on piano and Chuck on drums for a jazz spectacular on Saturday July 6 at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $20. For information and reservations call the Mainstay at 410-639-9133. Information is also available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.
There has been a lot of attention paid to “women in jazz” in the past 20years with DC’s own Washington Women in Jazz Festival inspiring Seattle’s first Women in Jazz Festival this spring, the Ken Burns documentary “Jazz” paying close attention to some of the historic women players and numerous articles in the mainstream press commenting on the number of women playing jazz on both the pro and high school levels.
Now with the help of Chuck Redd, the Mainstay has brought together three of the bright rising stars in jazz who just happen to be women. The unprecedented ensemble will give listeners an opportunity to hear what Redd calls “musical magic when the talents of Nicki, Sharón and Bria combine for the first time!”
Tom McHugh, founder and director of the Mainstay points out that “this one of the unique concerts in the Mainstay’s celebrated jazz history. I was talking to Chuck Redd about it and he pointed out that this show is something that very few of the New York clubs could present…Fienstein’s used to, but they are no more. We are here and we can. This concert is our contribution to Rock Hall’s 4th of July week festivities. Jazz fireworks at the Mainstay with three of the jazz world’s brightest stars.”
Sharón Clark is a sultry bluesy vocalist who also excels on Bossa Nova. She is from the DC area and has just completed her 5th engagement at the Metropolitan Room in New York and returned from a tour of Israel and Russia. She won the top prize at the Savannah Music Festival’s American Traditions Competition and took first place in the Billie Holiday Vocal Competition. She has headlined the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival on the National Mall and the historic Lincoln Theater.
Originally from Australia but now based in New York, Nicki Parrott is no stranger to Mainstay audiences. She is a first class bassist and a dynamic swinging vocalist who performs regularly on Monday nights at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City as part of the legendary Les Paul Trio. She was Les Paul’s bassist and vocalist for over 10 years and has charmed audiences worldwide.
Bria Skonberg is a rising star on trumpet whose singing can be sweet or smoky as the mood requires. Originally from Chilliwack, BC Canada, she has been a bandleader and guest artist all over North America, Europe, China and Japan. Best known for her knowledge of classic jazz and pursuit of worldwide fun, she is creating a style all her own rooted in swampy New Orleans and blues with swing, pop and world music influences.
The Redd Brothers, Chuck Redd on vibes and drums and Robert Redd on piano will offer support and tasteful solos and will be featured on a couple of duos from Bossa Nova to Cole Porter and Ellington. All five will be working in various combinations playing to the strengths of each as a soloist and also playing as an ensemble. As Chuck Redd says, “As jazz players we live for these kind of events. We’re expecting musical magic.”
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