Visit my website at lauracoylejazz.com for upcoming performances, sound samples, bio, photos and contact information. And you can check me out on myspace too at myspace.com/lauracoylejazz. Thanks for stopping by!
On Monday February 4th there will be some of Atlanta's best jazz vocalists and musicians performing at SOJA's (Southeastern Organization for Jazz Arts) first Jazz Appreciation Night at Star in Castleberry Hill, near downtown Atlanta. This event will take place on the first Monday night of every month. For more details, see SOJA's website
Rick G's jazz and trumpet blog, iwasdoingallright.com has some great video clips of local Atlanta jazz happenings. Click the link above to see and hear the likes of Mace Hibbard, Melvin Jones, Julie Dexter, Bernard Linnette and more.
an evening of music with Obie Jessie, vocals; Bernard Linnette, drums; Louis Heriveaux, piano; and Craig Shaw, bass.
Louis Heriveaux before the show
Obie Jessie takes the stage
Posey Miller and Takana Miyamoto listen from the kitchen
Craig Shaw takes a solo
everybody digs Obie Jessie
the second set
ends with a stirring 'Round Midnight
Thanks to Mary Jo for hosting this beautiful evening of music in her home. And to Phil and Rhae Clore for bringing these events together every month. I'll remember this night for a long time. I was fortunate to get to sing a couple of tunes as an opener to Obie's sets and meet a lot of fellow jazz lovers. If you'd like to attend in the future, keep an eye on SOJA's website.
photos by Laura Coyle
This week the band has moved "into the pit" to make more room for Santa and Mrs. Claus and all the holiday trappings, but you can still enjoy the music and even pay us a visit in this lovely lounge area in the middle of all the action. This week brought special guests Chanda McKnight on keys and Russell Gunn on trumpet.
Chanda McKnight and Craig Shaw
Bernard Linnette and Russell Gunn
Happy Holidays!
and FYI coming up next friday is Kemba Cofield's CD Release party at club 29. Go hear this woman!!
Laura Coyle
It's been a wonderful few days with a houseful of family and maybe just a little too much good cooking. On Wednesday I sang at Ray's on the River, this time with Rich Rowlinson on piano and Tim Delaney on bass. We had never played together before, but they are both so accomplished that it was a breeze. It also gave me a chance to try a few tunes I haven't done much, since our newness was bound to make everything a little outside the comfort zone - so why not? Continuing education! And it was so much fun to listen to Rich and Tim, who are fantastic and so entertaining - they play together all the time and most often accompanying Mike Geier of Kingsized.
On Sunday I'm back with Bernard, Louis and Craig at the brunch. And now that November is almost gone, things are about to get really busy - here are a few of the dates right around the corner I'm hoping to catch (if I'm not playing them) around Atlanta:
Wed. Nov 28 - Bernard Linnette Interactive with Julie Dexter at Club 29
Sat. Dec 1 - Kingsized Holiday Extravaganza - Variety Playhouse
Sun. Dec 2 - Waverly brunch 11:30 am (I'm singing) then at 5 pm - Mary Jo's SOJA Jazz Soiree with Obie Jessie, Bernard Linnette and company
Wed. Nov 28 - Bernard Linnette Interactive with Julie Dexter at Club 29
Sat. Dec 8 - Holiday Jazz Vespers with the Atlanta Jazz Chorus - Rialto theatre (I'll be singin' with the altos!)
Hope your Thanksgiving was a happy one! see you soon, Laura
Finally! I got to meet the much-talked about trumpeter Russell Gunn, and hear his unique take on lots of tunes this past Sunday. Inspiring. You gotta come out - you never know who's gonna show up! This was a treat. I have the best job; I get to sing, and then I get to listen!
Next week, November 4th, I'm taking a break and vocalist Julie Dexter is on the mic. On Sunday afternoon, you can catch Julie, Bernard, Louis, Craig and horns at Paris On Ponce for the next Mary Jo's Jazz Soiree. There was so much response for this show, that Mary Jo had to move the party from her house to a bigger location! It promises to be a great evening of jazz, 5pm-9pm.
Here's a lovely shot of amazing vocalist Kemba Cofield with bassist Craig Shaw, sitting in at the brunch yesterday. She's working on a new CD with some soulful arrangements of familiar tunes along with some Kemba originals. Catch her at Club 29 this Wednesday night.
Took my camera to see the Will Scruggs Jazz Fellowship CD release party at Churchill Grounds this past Saturday night. A fantastic show, with Will Scruggs on saxes and vocals, Louis Heriveaux on keys, Robby Handley on bass and Marlon Patton on drums.
Last night I heard the wonderful Terry Harper, Danny Harper, Craig Shaw and Clay Hulet on the lawn at Scottish Rite in Oakhurst Village. For more information on this Thursday night September Jazz series, visit oakhurstjazznights.com
This past week at the Waverly Renaissance Jazz Brunch we had the pleasure of listening to a very special guest vocalist and pianist, Audrey Shakir. She is a legend, known and loved by many musicians and Jazz lovers from New York to Atlanta. This is the first time I’ve heard her on piano and I think her sonorous playing is a view into why she is such a great singer. You can find her upcoming performance dates on her website.
This coming Sunday I’ll be taking a break, Louis Heriveaux is back and Kemba Cofield will be standing in on vocals. Enjoy!
