Jazz Houston’s Sarah Vaughan at 100 concert celebrates the elegance and mastery of The Divine One on her centennial. Such was the musical experience with headliner, Grammy-Award-winning vocalist Dianne Reeves, and her trio performing songs from her very own tribute to Ms. Vaughan on Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Cullen Theater, Wortham Center. Artistic and Education Director Vincent Gardner said this about the Jazz Houston 2024-2025 season in Houston.
I most look forward to growing the appreciation for this wonderful art form through informed, high-level performances, through teaching it to the youth who have little to no opportunity to learn about or perform it in their schools or their neighborhoods, and bringing awareness to the community through the feeling of the music and celebration of Houston’s own very special contributions to Jazz. Our output accomplishes these goals in a number of ways. Our concerts celebrate a mix of Historical Jazz Figures, Houston’s iconic Jazz Musicians, and also promote today’s established and emerging Jazz performers. All of our season concerts with our professional Jazz Houston Orchestra feature rehearsals that are held in local Houston-area schools and are open to the student body to observe. We also present an In-school presentation related to the concert, and provide tickets to the concert free of charge to the students from the host school. Our Youth Orchestra is composed of musicians from all corners of our area, performs throughout the academic year, and at the end of a year are provided a trip at no cost to collaborate with other Youth Jazz orchestras, visit colleges, and participate in important cultural exchange.
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Ekep Nkwelle, a 25-year-old Cameroonian-American jazz vocalist, who has carved her musical path from the vibrant streets of Washington, DC, to the heart of New York City’s jazz scene, made her debut in Houston with the Jazz Houston Orchestra. The rising star’s song selections featured the classic recording “Viva! Vaughan,” featuring Salsa-influenced sounds from the Great American Songbook.
Jazz Houston under the leadership of Artistic Director Vincent Gardner. Jazz Houston is a vibrant organization that explores the entirety of jazz while preserving and promoting the music for the greater Houston community and beyond. Our organization programs jazz concerts and educational programs annually. Education is a pillar of Jazz Houston. Its orchestra members and teaching artists regularly lead community educational opportunities for children and adults, including workshops, public school programs, and educational residencies. These engaging, lively educational experiences foster personal relationships with the music for people of all ages while cultivating new audiences for the art form.
Photo Credit: Jerris Madison
