What could be cooler than a warm July Friday evening being serenaded by the soulful jazz vocalist Tuliva Donna Cumberbatch, accompanied by The Come Sunday String Project.´ This is exactly what Jazzy Jazz brought to its July 25th jazz enthusiasts at their outdoor venue in front of Medgar Evers College.
After a one-year hiatus, with the support of Medgar Evers College president, Dr. Rudolph F. Crew, the outdoor concerts resumed. This is a major achievement when considering what many people feel is the willful miseducation in our public school system. These concerts allow community members to avail themselves and their children to first rate music right in their backyards. Hopefully, this early exposure may help to widen the vistas of youth lacking any type of music instruction in school.
Known as “Brooklyn’s Own Songbird”, Tuliva is the daughter of baritone saxophone player, Harold Cumberbatch. Performing smooth jazz classics, Tuliva caressed the crowd with her mellow, soulful vocals.
In attendance (this occasion as a guess), was legendary jazz bassist, Bob Cunningham and wife, Bonda Lee (left in above photo), with United Music Makers facilitator, Michael Howard. Rarely seen without his bass, Bob was nicknamed the “Walking Bassist” and has performed countless recordings and gigs with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Abbey Lincoln and Yusef Lateef.
Numerous newcomers, who recently learned of the Jazzy Jazz outdoor concerts, are turning out in groves for these gratis events.
There are five more performances scheduled ending on August 29. On August 1st Stanley Banks & Friends will be performing, followed by Jeff King on August 8; Beareather Reddy & Brown Liquid Sounds on August 15, the Swing Machine featuring Jazzmeia Horn vocalist & Warren Wolf on vibes. The summer’s closing performance will feature the Caribbean Cultural Celebration. Let’s not forget, we have a “poet in residence” for the Jazz Series, Artist Nikki Williams.
Adding to the great jazz you’re sure to enjoy, all this is entirely free, rain or shine (auditorium in case of rain). The concerts are held in front of Medgar Evers, 1638 Bedford Avenue & Crown Street.
