Octogenarian Women of Jazz
Company:
Flushing Town Hall
We welcome you to join us in the Flushing Town Hall Theater as saxophonist/flutist Carol Sudhalter celebrates her 80th year as she leads a quintet of “Octogenarian Women of Jazz” in a concert of beloved jazz standards and originals by members.
The band of celebrities comprises world-renowned pianist Bertha Hope, drummer Paula Hampton of the legendary jazz Hampton family (including Slide and Lionel Hampton); and widely popular vocalist Keisha St. Joan. In addition, the concert will include a rare and eagerly awaited participation of revered bassist/columnist Bill Crow, now 95.
You know Carol Sudhalter as the house band leader of FTH’s monthly Louis Armstrong Jazz Jam. She is the youngest of the musical Sudhalters, long recognized for their contributions to jazz research and performance, and for their role in the historic Boston jazz scene (brother Dick Sudhalter, father Al Sudhalter violinist alto saxophonist played with Bobby Hackett, Eddy Duchin.) Bertha Hope, acclaimed as one of the world's foremost jazz pianists, and former partner of legendary bebop pianist Elmo Hope, founded the ELMOllenium project to preserve the musical legacy of her late husband.
Among the band's original numbers to be performed, is Hope's “Da Las Senidras," recently published in Terri Lynne Carrington’s “Compositions by Female Composers,” dedicated to the famed bassist Walter Booker. Drummer and vocalist Paula Hampton is a rarity in the field of jazz as she has extensive instrumental training and is the heir to a rare musical heritage. Singer Keisha St. Joan, often compared in range and voice flexibility to the late great Sarah Vaughn, will bring many colors to the band's presentation.
At this exciting performance, there will be some brief oral history by band members, as well as an opportunity for the audience to ask questions of the artists.
