AT & T Performing Arts Center Announces 2010-2011 Jazz Roots Series

The 2010-2011 JAZZ ROOTS Series

JAZZ: The only  truly original American art form. Created and formed in the Southern United States, Jazz is the music of the people and tells their stories. The Blues, Dixieland, Latin, Be-bop, Big Band, Swing. They are all Jazz. The Jazz Roots series at the AT & T Performing Arts Center features some of the best examples of this All- American music.

The Blues

September 08, 2010

The Blues – simply stated, without the blues, there is no jazz. Nor, for that matter, so much of the popular music that America has exported to the world, from R&B to rock ‘n’ roll to hip hop. We bring two generations of blues stars to the Dallas stage.

James Cotton – Grammy winning blues legend, whose harmonica sound has embraced virtually every major blues legend, from Howlin’ Wolf to Muddy Waters.

Shemekia Copeland – who grew up surrounded by the blues as the daughter of the great guitar legend Johnny Copeland, has kept the family tradition alive and thriving.

The American Songbook

November 17, 2010   

From the joyous cacophony of New York’s Tin Pan Alley to the sleek arrangements for icons Sinatra, Bennett, and Streisand to the music of America’s greatest songwriters, these classics have come to be known around the world as the American Songbook.

Michael Feinstein – No singer today is better identified with the American Songbook than this platinum selling artist. Michael defines the genre.

Nicole Henry – Billboard’s top selling jazz artist, Japan’s New Jazz Artist of the Year, Nicole brings the American Songbook to audiences around the planet.

Jazz Meets Gospel

February 12, 2011

Like the Blues, both jazz and gospel had their origins in the cotton fields of the pre-Civil War south when African slaves, singing and playing to help ease their suffering, created the musical roots that would evolve into these purely American musical styles.

Take 6 – Ten-time Grammy winning a capella gospel vocal sextet. Their upbeat, swinging take on gospel defies categorization, and has led to collaborations with artists as diverse as Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and Queen Latifah.

Yolanda Adams – Four-time Grammy winner and multi-platinum gospel star, author and celebrated radio show host. She has merged R&B and soul with gospel to create her world renowned signature sound.

3 Generations of Divas

April 21, 2011

In the tradition of icons, Bessie Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn, this evening’s concert brings together for the first time three celebrated singers who follow in the footsteps of these legends.

Nikki Yanofsky, the 16-year old phenomenon, was seen by millions around the world when she opened the 2010 Winter Olympics. Her love for Ella led her to record a tribute to the great diva.

Jane Monheit, two-time GRAMMY nominee has been featured on the award-winning PBS television series LEGENDS OF JAZZ. She brings the classics to a new generation.

Diane Reeves – four-time GRAMMY winner. Diane was featured prominently throughout the critically acclaimed Warner feature film, “Good Night and Good Luck.” Today, Diane is respected as the reigning queen of female jazz vocalists.

Super Sax

May 11, 2011

Since 1928, when Johnny Hodges brought his gorgeous tone to Duke Ellington’s orchestra, some of jazz’ finest soloists have chosen the alto sax: the great Benny Carter, genius Charlie Parker, the hard bopping Sonny Stitt, the joyful Julian Cannonball Adderley and Hank Crawford with his raw bluesy sound.

David Sanborn – Six-time GRAMMY and multi- platinum award winner whose signature bluesy tone and incredible technique have given him the most recognized alto sax sound in contemporary music today.

Candy Dulfer –  Dutch-born and largely self-taught, this platinum-selling Artist made her name in the pop music world, as a soloist for major stars Prince, Pink Floyd, Van Morrison and Dave Stewart.

For more information and to purchase tickets the Jazz Roots Series.