GERI ALLEN & FRIENDS CELEBRATE THE
GREAT JAZZ WOMEN OF THE APOLLO -
SATURDAY, MAY 11 AT THE APOLLO THEATER
Directed by S. Epatha Merkerson,
Narrative by Farah Jasmin Griffin
Featuring Geri Allen & The Timeline Quartet, Dianne Reeves,
Lizz Wright, Terri Lyne Carrington, Tia Fuller, Val Jeanty,
and Afro Blue Jazz Chorus with Connaitre Miller, Among Others
Pianist-composer-educator Geri Allen will present a special program titled "Geri Allen & Friends Celebrate The Great Jazz Women Of The Apollo," at The Apollo Theater in New York on Saturday, May 11.
Under Allen's musical direction, this concert production pays homage to
the legendary women singers and instrumentalists who have graced the
Apollo stage (celebrating such legacies as Nina Simone, Betty Carter,
Nancy Wilson, Mary Lou Williams, Hazel Scott, Dinah Washington, Ella
Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Melba Liston and other great
jazz women).
Staged by celebrated actress-director-filmmaker S. Epatha Merkerson, through the words and historical narrative of acclaimed author Farah Jasmine Griffin, the program will feature performances by Allen's Timeline Quartet (which showcases tap dancer Maurice Chestnut), GRAMMY® winners - vocalist Dianne Reeves and drum master, Terri Lyne Carrington, as well as saxophonist, Tia Fuller, premier vocalist Lizz Wright, DJ Val Jeanty, and Howard University's award winning Afro-Blue Jazz Chorus (directed
by Connaitre Miller), and other surprise guests round out the
production's list of performers. Also joining Allen for the performance
is guitarist Marvin Sewell, tap dancer Alexandra Bradley, and comedian Karen Malina White.
"I am humbled to share the
stage with such an amazing group of artists, and I feel very privileged
to be collaborating with S. Epatha Merkerson, and Farah Jasmin Griffin,
both brilliant trailblazer's in their respective fields," reflects
Allen. "Laura Greer at the Apollo has given us a wonderful opportunity
to pay tribute to the beloved Grand Dames of the Iconic Apollo Theatre,
while acknowledging the significant contributions being made by our
present day great jazz women. These women are authentically connected to
this time-honored legacy, and it is so very gratifying to join them on
stage in celebration and song."
Performances will take place at 3:00PM & 8:00PM.
New Album
The performance comes as Allen completes a solo piano album, Grand River Crossings: Motown and Motor City Inspirations, scheduled for a September 10 release on Motéma Music.
Her fourth project for the label (and last in a trilogy of solo piano
driven albums from Allen released over the past three years), this album
takes on a Motown/Detroit theme, which, as a Detroit native, she feels a
deep personal connection to. Allen has even gone as far to say that she
owes as much to Motown's legacy as she does to the jazz greats for the
inspiration of her sound. The album will feature special guests Marcus Belgrave and David McMurray.
"Jana Herzen of Motéma Music
is a very important force of creative empowerment today," says Allen.
"Being a member of the Motéma family has allowed me the freedom to grow
as an artist. I am grateful to Jana for the care and respect she has
given to each project."
Upcoming Tour Activity
Allen also prepares for a number of
high profile appearances following her Apollo program. Beginning in
June, the pianist will join ACS (featuring Terri Lyne
Carrington and Esperanza Spalding) for select performances both
nationally/internationally throughout the summer and fall. Allen will
also return to her hometown this fall for the Detroit Jazz Festival (September 1 & 2),
where she'll present a special Homecoming Band and perform in duo with
Artistic Director Danilo Pérez. The pianist will also perform in New
Jersey at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark (September 27 & 29), and the State Theatre in New Brunswick (September 28).
In this powerful program, the New Jersey resident performs her own NJSO
commission with conductor Jacques Lacombe and the Afro Blue Vocal
Ensemble and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Lastly, Allen will lead a
band featuring saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, bassist James Genus, and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts for an engagement at the Village Vanguard from December 17 - 22.
Allen to Release Detroit-Themed Solo Piano Album,
Grand River Crossings: Motown and Motor City Inspirations,
September 10 on Motéma Music, and Prepares for
Extensive International Touring With ACS
For more information on Geri Allen, please visit: GeriAllen.com
For more information on Motéma Music, please visit: Motema.com
For more information on The Apollo Theater, please visit: ApolloTheater.org
For media information, please contact:
DL Media · 610-667-0501
Jordy Freed · jordy@dlmediamusic.com
Information and press materials (including album covers, promotional photos and bios)
on all DL Media artists can be found at our new website: dlmediamusic.c
