Melissa Morgan sings Billie Holiday

Vocalist Melissa Morgan, known for her retro, earthy tone evocative of classic jazz stylings of the past, reimagines ‘Lady Day’, one of her greatest influences.

The JAZZ ROOM provides a casual and intimate setting reminiscent of the classic jazz rooms of yesteryear.

Billie Holiday: Billie Holiday, nicknamed Lady Day by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, changed the way jazz is sung forever. Her vocal style, strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists and great improvisational skill, pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo. Her versions of “Easy Living” and “What A Little Moonlight Can Do,” are classics and her rendition of “Strange Fruit” made a powerful statement on Civil Rights. She has been inducted to both the Grammy Hall of Fame and the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.

Melissa Morgan: Morgan has been a regular performer at some of New York’s top jazz room such as Cleopatra’s Needle, Flute, G Bar, Smalls, Smoke and St. Nick’s Pub. She has appeared with her own trio as well as other artists including Harold Mabern, David Hazeltine, and Sam Yahel. In 2001 she was featured in performances with Jon Faddis and the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars at the Blue Note in New York. She performed at the New York Women of Jazz Festival in 2002 at Smoke jazz club. She has cited Billie Holiday as one of the people who influenced her, and she will be sharing her interpretations of Lady Day’s music with us.

FEATURING:
Malcolm Charles, drums
Elijah Freeman, saxophone
Philip Howe / Kevin Bales, piano
Butler Knowles, bass

Note on COVID Policies: As an affiliate organization of Blumenthal Performing Arts, JazzArts Charlotte will be following BPA COVID-19 venue policies and safety guidelines throughout the season. Due to the current COVID-19 safety requirements, Masks will be required inside the venues and we are unable to offer food and beverage to JAZZ ROOM patrons at the Stage Door Theater. See details.

Keep your eyes out for opportunities to gather with your JAZZ ROOM friends for dinner or a drink before and after the show at surrounding restaurants.

Thank you to the program sponsors and supporters, who each bring jazz alive in Charlotte: Infusion Fund, Knight Foundation, Doris Duke Foundation, North Carolina Arts Council, and O’s Place Jazz.