The Jazz Singers Series

The Nu-Art Series proudly presents The Jazz Singers series, continuing our celebration of African American arts traditions and to introduce you to local artists who you must get to know.

Performances:

Saturday, July 3, 2010 - Nikki Washington sings Sarah Vaughan
Saturday, July 10, 2010 - Felica Ezell sings Ella Fitzgerald
Saturday, July 24, 2010 - Mardra Thomas sings Nancy Wilson
Saturday, July 31, 2010 - Erika Johnson sings Anita O'Day
Bonus date: Saturday. September 4, 2010 - Nikki Washington sings Dinah Washington

All performances 3 to 6 p.m. at the Nu-Art Series' Metropolitan Gallery, 2936 Locust Street, St. Louis MO 63105.
Admission $10.00.

Jazz vocalist Mardra Thomas tours internationally with big bands and small ensembles such as the Mardra and Reggie Thomas Ensemble and OGD (Jazz Organ Group). Well known for her realistic portrayal of Billie Holiday, Mardra combines her theatrical and musical talents to perform The Jazz Story and Women In Jazz on a regular basis. In addition, Mardra has recorded with a wide range of jazz greats. Her releases include "Fade to Blue" on the Max Jazz Label and the recently released "Eastern Central Pacific" on Victoria Records.

Felica Exell is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. She holds a B.S. in Music/Business from Millikin University and a J.D. from Texas Southern University. She has more than 25 years of theater and stage experience. Her stage credits include Pajama Game, Once Upon a Mattress, Most Happy Fella, Guys & Dolls, and Hansel and Gretel. Recent roles include PHAT Girls Don't Cry, A House Divided (the reunion tour), and an excerpt of The Real Life, a Joel P. King Production. As a resident actor with SRD & Wright Productions, Felica's stage credits include Circle of Influence and The Color of Rain. She garnered the Red Carpet Award for "Most Popular Leading Lady" for her performance in Unpleasant Excitement.

Erika Johnson, an East St. Louis native, comes from a long legacy of Jazz. Her career began in 1990 when she opened for Boyz to Men and Betty Wright. Soon after, her love for jazz was nurtured at Lincoln Senior High School with their world-renowned jazz band under the direction of Mr. Ron Carter, now lead Professor at Northern Illinois University. Erika followed Carter to the Jackson State big band, and her continued development brought her great success. Her love for bebop and traditional jazz has taken her around the world, including the Blue Note in Milan, Italy as a featured vocalist for Grammy award-winning saxophonist James Carter. Erika now performs at Spruill's International in St. Louis with Willie Akins, as well as many other great musicians in the area.

Born in St. Louis in 1973, Nikki Washington's musical roots are diverse and deep. Like so many of the greats before her, she began singing at church at the age of three. By 8 she was leading songs in the children?s choir and was being trained classically on the piano. Nikki made her professional debut as a vocalist with the Foundation Band in 2001, opening for national acts including Tyrone Davis, Confunction, and The Whispers. More recently, Nikki opened for Erin Bode as one half of the jazz duo Westcott & Washington. Currently, Nikki performs with the J-Rob Band and Par 3 band as a featured vocalist.

In conjunction with the Jazz Singers Series, Musical Moments, featuring photos and videos by St. Louis artist Clement Cann and paintings and illustrations by Chicago artist Antonio Wade will be on display in the gallery.

 

The Nu-Art Series is a Not-for-Profit Arts Organization.