Jazz Vocalist Brenda Alford Leads Quintet

Jazz Vocalist Brenda Alford Leads Quintet at Sunshine Jazz' Monthly Concert Series March 25, 2018

The monthly Sunshine Jazz Concert Series continues with a stellar ensemble led by highly acclaimed singer, songwriter, educator and “Jazz Ambassador”, Ms. Brenda Alford! Her band is comprised of some of South Florida’s very finest musicians: Antulio Mora at the piano, Jesse Jones, Jr. on sax, Jamie Ousley on acoustic bass and on the trap drums, Lenny Steinberg.

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, a city rich with musical legacies including Billie Holiday, Eubie Blake and Cab Calloway, Ms. Alford composed, performed and directed a children’s Jazz program. Along with her Trio, “A History of Jazz”, “Living With Jazz,” and “Legends and Jazz” the program toured to over 100 schools under the auspices of the Baltimore City Office of Cultural Enrichment and the Maryland Arts Council for nearly 13 years. Ms. Alford has continued her “Jazz Ambassador” mission here in South Florida.

Brenda Alford was personally encouraged to become a professional vocalist by Ms. Ella Fitzgerald, and counts Carmen McRae, Betty Carter, and Abbey Lincoln among her many fans. Brenda has the distinction of being one of very few vocalists ever to record with renown Jazz legend Horace Silver on the esteemed Blue Note Record Label. In addition, she has shared the stage with many jazz icons including Slide Hampton, Tommy Flanagan, Joe Donato, Jesse Jones, Jr., Pete Minger, Keter Betts, Philly Joe Jones and Stanley Turrentine. Alford also worked with fellow Baltimore musician and contemporary Jazz piano genius, Cyrus Chestnut for several years.

Ms. Alford performs in varied settings, from schools, churches and lounges to concert halls such as the Delaware Grand Opera House and Baltimore’s Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. She performed at South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center in a VIP performance preceding Grammy Award-winning vocal group Take 6, during which she released her new single recording, “Every Child” to standing ovations. By popular demand, she performed there again along with Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy, and the great Kevin Mahogany. Alford’s varied musical performance configurations have ranged from a capella, to a sixty-piece orchestra. Her repertoire includes, jazz, gospel, pop, R&B, and blues.

Sunday, March 25th, 2018 ~ 6-9pm

Miami Shores Country Club 

10000 Biscayne Blvd., Miami Shores, FL 33138