Log In

Reset Password

Jazz great ? that's the promise!

Tonight's performances are going to be more jazzy in nature than last night's offerings.The Groovin' for Grover ? A Tribute to Grover Washington, Jr. ? will feature saxophonists Kirk Whalum and Jeff Lorber and keyboardist Richard Elliot.Another is Angie Stone, who is classed as is a fiery songstress, who is out to prove that it takes more than a few dips of the hip to be a true diva.

Tonight's performances are going to be more jazzy in nature than last night's offerings.

The Groovin' for Grover ? A Tribute to Grover Washington, Jr. ? will feature saxophonists Kirk Whalum and Jeff Lorber and keyboardist Richard Elliot.

Another is Angie Stone, who is classed as is a fiery songstress, who is out to prove that it takes more than a few dips of the hip to be a true diva.

Trumpet master Chris Botti has played with the likes of Sting and Paul Simon.

His sultry renditions of lush atmospheres and thoughtful improvisations, have earned both critical acclaim and mainstream appreciation.

Tony Grandberry's voice has been described as being as smooth as butter.

He began singing in his grandfather's church, spent most of his life in finance, and was then asked by a friend to sing in his wedding ? and the rest they say is history.

On the Bermuda front jazz singer Gita Blakeney will take the stage with her unique and intimate style.

Additional Bermudian performers will be on the nearby Onion Stage.

All performances take place at the Royal Naval Dockyard, West End, and begin at 7.30 p.m. with gates opening at 6 p.m.

Groovin' For Grover is a celebration of the life and spirit of one of the most influential and dedicated figures in soul-jazz and R&B with some of the brightest stars in smooth jazz.

The Groovin' For Grover Tour has helped raise awareness for The Grover Washington Jr. Protect the Dream Foundation, which is committed to enriching children's lives through music education.

This group combines the excitement of an all-star tribute concert with a noble cause that was deeply personal to Grover himself.

Mr. Whalum and Mr. Elliot combine forces to form a powerhouse of saxophone dominance with each player bringing his unique presence, power and dynamic style into the mix.

Completing the circle is the legendary keyboardist Mr. Lorber and his indomitable rhythm section lay the punchy funk foundation so essential to the soul-jazz sound Grover pioneered.

In the ever-changing universe of contemporary music, there are very few artists who have remained as creatively consistent as singer, songwriter, producer and actress Angie Stone.

Whether she is belting out tunes on Broadway, and most recently as Big Mama Morton in the Tony Award-winning production of Chicago, or crafting new songs on the tour bus, Angie Stone fiercely manages to bring real soul to the table.

After having a number one single No More Rain on her debut album Black Diamond and selling over 1.2 million records world-wide with her last disc Mahogany Love, the macktress is back.

With her brilliant third solo disc Stone Love ? her most accomplished work to date ? this fiery songstress is ready to join the pantheon of sassy soul sisters that include: Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, and Betty Wright.

On Stone Love's first single I Wanna Thank You, she has created the perfect up-tempo summer jam, of which she wanted a title that conjured the same sense of love that she captured on the record.

"There is motherly and sisterly love, man and woman love, but no love is stronger than Stone Love."

Trumpeter Chris Botti is a gifted instrumentalist, a talented composer, and a charismatic performer who since the release of his first solo album in 1995 has created a series of recordings that have made him a virtual genre-of-one in the realm of contemporary jazz.

On his latest collection, When I Fall In Love, the best-selling trumpet virtuoso expands the range of his earlier work with an album devoted to once and future classic love songs, each one performed with his impeccable taste and signature tonal qualities.

It featured guest vocal performances from Paula Cole on What'll I Do and How Love Should Be, and Sting on La Belle Dame Sans Regrets.

When I Fall In Love reunited him with legendary producer/musician Bobby Colomby, who helmed Botti's 2002 seasonal collection, December.

Mr. Botti was in Paul Simon's band in 1990, where he remained for the next five years, and, in 1995, he recorded his solo debut, First Wish.

After scoring the 1996 film Caught, he returned in 1997 with his second album, Midnight Without You, which was followed by Slowing Down the World two years later.

His 2002 watershed album, Night Sessions, peaked at number two on the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart while his seasonal collection, December, released the same year, hit number seven on the same chart.

A Thousand Kisses Deep is his latest best-selling collection, which entered at number 20 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart and hit the number three position on the Top Contemporary Jazz chart.

Smooth, sensuous, and like butter are only a few words used to describe the unique vocals of Tony Grandberry.

His first musical experiences came from singing in the choir of his grandfather's church, where his mother was the choir director and his aunt was the organist. Music was a part of life for him from a very early age.

But it was not something that he considered as a career after high school, so he went university where he majored in psychology and was a member of the renowned Morgan State University Choir.

After graduation, he worked as a stock broker for Merrill Lynch, then as a contract compliance specialist for the City of Wilmington.

Finally as the executive director of The Grover Washington, Jr. Protect the Dream Foundation, the non-profit organisation set up by the estate of Grover Washington, Jr.

With his background in finance and as the cousin of Grover, Tony was the obvious choice to pilot the foundation and ensure that Grover's dream to enrich the lives of young people through music education would be fulfilled.

But music returned when a long-time friend asked him to sing at his wedding.

This became Mr. Grandberry's first professional, albeit unpaid, performance. His next gig was with another former stock broker and co-worker, pianist Mark Titus.

He went on to perform at the weddings of other friends and family before landing the gig that would last for more than twelve years.

The duo of Tony Grandberry & Dave Zipse became and remains a mainstay at Harry's Savoy Restaurant in North Wilmington.

He began performing at Zanzibar Blue Wilmington in the summer of 2002 and soon after his quartet became the featured band during the Sunday Jazz Brunch at Zanzibar Blue, in Philadelphia.

It has become a regular stopping off point for guest artists such as Najee, Joe Sample, Peter Nero, of Philly Pops Fame, and members of the renowned jazz group Fourplay. All have joined Tony on stage to help make Sundays at Zanzibar Blue the destination of choice for those who want to have a great time.

Mr. Grandberry has also performed at both the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival and The Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival.

Among the highlights of his other musical collaborations, he performed with his cousin, the late, great saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. and it was, in fact, Grover who dubbed him The Crooner because of his smooth and silky style.

Tickets are available at Sound Stage, Washington Mall, Clayworks and the Festival Box Office, at Royal Naval Dockyard. General admission is $60 for this evening's performances.

Snorkel Park after party will feature Prestege from 12 a.m. - 3 a.m.