Celebrating the Women in Jazz III
SATURDAY, APRIL 13 @ 6:00 PM
SCOTTISH RITE CATHEDRAL
TICKETS $59-$79
The Celebrating the Women in Jazz concert is returning to the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest for the THIRD time!
This concert is not to be missed!
Building on the success of previous celebrations of female jazz vocalists and instrumentalists, award-winning keyboardist Chris “Big Dog” Davis is producing another blockbuster concert featuring vocalists Melba Moore, Maysa, Nicole Henry, and Paulette McWilliams; flutist Althea Rene; and saxophonist Jeanette Harris.
With Tony Award winner Melba Moore part of the all-star ensemble, Davis decided a “Jazz to Broadway” theme would be perfect for first half of show. Fans will be treated to Moore singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow;” Maysa singing “Impossible Dream;” Nicole Henry singing “Alfie;” Paulette McWilliams singing “Send in the Clowns;” Harris performing “Walk on By;” Rene performing “Summertime.” In 1970, Moore won the Tony -- Best Performance/Featured Actress in a Musical -- for her portrayal of Lutiebellie in Purlie.The first set also will feature performance by Broadway dancer and choreographer Rachael Britton-Hart, a Reading native – and will close with the entire ensemble performing “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
After intermission, all artists will return to perform music from their successful careers, including Moore singing the hit “I Got Love” from Purlie.
The grand finale will feature the entire ensemble – plus a few surprises — performing “I Am Every Woman.”
Now that will be a Berks Jazz Fest concert not to be missed! Get your tickets now, before they are gone!
Melba Moore
Moore is both a singer with a five-octave range and an award-winning actor. She performs in the jazz, pop, rock, gospel, classical, soul/R&B and Broadway genres, and all can be heard on her 28 albums, the latest of which is “Imagine” (2022).
Born in Harlem to bandleader Teddy Hill and vocalist Bonnie Davis, she began her stage career as part of the Broadway cast of “Hair” in the original 1967 production, replacing Diane Keaton, and went on to win a Tony Award for her portrayal of LutieBelle in “Purlie” in 1970.
She also became the first African American woman to play the role of Fantine in “Les Miserables.” Moore has appeared in films, hosted her own television show, and has been nominated three times for a Grammy Award. Moore was the first female pop/R&B artist to perform a non-operatic solo concert at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, and at the Olympia in Paris.
Maysa
Maysa, the vocalist, who has performed many times at Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, was singled out by Stevie Wonder from the Morgan State University Choir when she was a junior; after she graduated, she became part of his backup ensemble, Wonderlove.
In 1992 she became the lead singer for Incognito for their 1992 hit single, “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing,” giving her international recognition. After that, she recorded more than seven times with them.
Maysa has been a solo artist for three decades. Her career has included international tours, major TV appearances, national awards and chart-topping hits.
In 2018 she started her own record label, Blue Velvet Soul Records, named for her 2013 album. Her 15th and most recent album -- “Music for Your Soul” – was released in 2023.
Nicole Henry
Henry, the vocalist has captivated audiences in 20 countries and 30 festivals with her interpretations of classic and contemporary jazz songs, standards, blues and originals.
In addition to recording and performing with the likes of Kirk Whalum, Gerald Clayton, Michael Feinstein and the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Henry has acted in theater productions of “Smokey Joe’s Café,” “The Color Purple” and other musicals.
Since 2004, she has released eight albums, the latest of which is “Time To Love Again” (2021).
Paulette McWilliams
McWilliams, the singer/songwriter, originally from Chicago, grew up singing and became one of the most in-demand backup singers in the industry, as well as having a career as a performing and recording artist in her own right.
McWilliams has worked with countless artists on tours and recordings, including Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, The Jacksons, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and as a member of Bette Midler's backing group the Harlettes, among many others. She has recorded duets with Johnny Mathis, sang a live duet with Sarah Vaughan, and has released several albums, including “A Woman’s Story” (2022) and her latest, “These Are the Sweet Things” (2023).
Althea Rene
Rene, the flutist, a Detroit native, studied classical music first, from age 4 until her time at Howard University. For more than 10 years she worked as a deputy sheriff in Detroit while performing at night in jazz clubs. She made her recording debut with “In the Flow” (2013), co-writing the title track, which became the first flute single to reach No. 1 on the Billboard and Smooth Jazz charts.
In 2018 she wrote “Becoming Chocolate Barbie,” a guide for women in the music business. Her 10 th album is “Pastel Leather,” released in 2022.
Jeanette Harris
Saxophonist Harris played piano and saxophone (inspired by Grover Washington Jr.) from an early age.
In high school, her band teacher had her play sax in the Fresno City College Jazz Band, which led to a scholarship to Berklee in Boston and a degree in music performance.
Her debut album, “Reflections,” was recorded on her family’s J&M Records label. Harris has played at festivals in Japan and London, and has opened for artists like Kirk Whalum, Najee and The Rippingtons. Her latest album is “Saxathrone,” released in 2022.