Melissa Morgan sings the music of Billie Holiday

Date and Time for this Past Event

Fri, Oct 15, 2021 - Sat, Oct 16, 2021 6pm - 10:45pm

Location

JAZZ ROOM at Stage Door Theater at the Blumenthal, 155 North College Street, Charlotte, NC

Details

Vocalist Melissa Morgan, known for her retro, gritty tone evocative of classic jazz stylings of the past, reimagines ‘Lady Day’, one of her greatest influences.
The JAZZ ROOM provides a casual and intimate setting with tables and a full bar, reminiscent of the classic jazz rooms of yesteryear.
Billie Holiday: Billie Holiday, nicknamed Lady Day by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, changed the way jazz is sung forever. Her vocal style, strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists and great improvisational skill, pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo. Her versions of “Easy Living” and “What A Little Moonlight Can Do,” are classics and her rendition of “Strange Fruit” made a powerful statement on Civil Rights. She has been inducted to both the Grammy Hall of Fame and the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.
Melissa Morgan: Morgan has been a regular performer at some of New York's top jazz room such as Cleopatra's Needle, Flute, G Bar, Smalls, Smoke and St. Nick's Pub. She has appeared with her own trio as well as other artists including Harold Mabern, David Hazeltine, and Sam Yahel. In 2001 she was featured in performances with Jon Faddis and the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars at the Blue Note in New York. She performed at the New York Women of Jazz Festival in 2002 at Smoke jazz club. She has cited Billie Holiday as one of the people who influenced her, and she will be sharing her interpretations of Lady Day’s music with us.
Note: In following regional directives and venue protocols for the comfort and safety of attendees, masks will be required at all times inside the Stage Door Theater. No food or beverage will be allowed. Keep your eyes out for opportunities to gather with your JAZZ ROOM friends for dinner or a drink before and after the show at surrounding restaurants.
Thank you to the program sponsors and supporters, who each bring jazz alive in Charlotte: Infusion Fund, Knight Foundation, Doris Duke Foundation, North Carolina Arts Council, and O's Place Jazz.