CAPE MAY – Rita Stafford, vocalist extraordinaire, will perform a salute to the famous female big band singers at the next Jazz Vespers concert on Sunday, August 1 at 8 p.m. The show will be at the First Presbyterian Church, Hughes & Decatur Streets, Cape May, NJ.
“I’ve always loved the sound of the big bands and their wonderful melodic singers who were featured in the bands. From the time I was little, I remember my mom would always be singing those wonderful songs around the house. Mom and dad would be listening to the sounds of the big bands and reminiscing about what was going on in their lives during that time” said Stafford in a recent interview. “At holidays, especially Thanksgiving, we’d be listening to the music from the 1940’s featuring the Great Ladies of Song, and after dinner, everyone would just sit around the table and sing. It was marvelous!”
Stafford has pursued her interest in this great music by studying-up on the famous female vocalists and the bands they fronted. She will share a bit of this knowledge by way of introductions to her numbers at the concert.
Rita and her band will be performing songs by many of the jazz greats including Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O’Day, Helen Forrest, Fran Warren, Helen O’Connell, Peggy Lee, Jo Stafford, Lena Horne and Keeley Smith and several others. These amazing vocalists sang with big bands led by Benny Goodman, Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Chick Webb, Count Bassie, Stan Kenton and Charlie Barnett.
Ms. Stafford began her musical career playing in duos with jazz pianists. She continues that tradition today, singing with several wonderful jazz musicians and continues to lead her own corporate/wedding band . Rita has also performed at the Performing Arts Center in Stone Harbor as a featured soloist in Dick Ludwig’s big band. She has toured Italy as the featured vocalist with the Atlantic City Jazz Band as part of their Jazz Ambassadors program in 2005, 2006 and 2008. She has performed internationally in South America and closer to home, she has performed for many years at the casinos in Atlantic City. She also lead a 20 piece orchestra at theTaj Mahal Mark Etess Arena, New Years Eve Gala 1999, in tribute to the big band era and all the great band leaders that performed at Steel Pier in Atlantic City.
Not everyone can sing this wonderful big band vocal music, but Stafford is blessed with a voice that lets her purr or roar, cry and laugh. She has assembled an excellent group of musicians for this unique jazz concert, including Dean Schneider on keyboards, Bob Ferguson on trumpet and flugelhorn, Andy Lalasis on bass, and Grant MacAvoy on drums.
This will definitely be a wonderful show for anyone who loves or is simply interested in the big bands and their amazing lady singers. Come out and join the fun. The music will be further enhanced by the beautiful and acoustically exquisite First Presbyterian church. Limited free parking is available. A $5.00 minimum donation is suggested. Wheelchair accessible. Call 884-0680 or visit www.capemayjazzvespers.com for more information.
Jazz Vesper’s Calendar:
Sunday, August 1st at 8:00 pm
Jazz Vespers at the First Presbyterian Church, Hughes & Decatur Streets, Cape May, NJ. The Rita Stafford Band storms the Jazz Vespers stage. Rita, an amazing jazz vocalist whose vocal and stylistic range is just extraordinary, will lead a group of all-star jazz veterans for this gig. The show will be a salute to the great female singers with the 1940s big bands. Limited free parking is available. Limited free parking is available. A $5.00 minimum donation is suggested. Wheelchair accessible. Call 884-0680 or visit www.capemayjazzvespers.com for more information.
Sunday August 15th at 8:00 pm
Jazz Vespers at the First Presbyterian Church, Hughes & Decatur Streets, Cape May, NJ. A very special concert – a rare appearance of Barry Miles, the world-famous Grammy winner who has played on dozens of classic jazz albums. Barry was Roberta Flack’s music director for about 15 years and has played with virtually all of the jazz greats of the past two decades. Barry will play in a jazz trio consisting of himself on piano, Bob Shomo on Drums and Tim Lekan on Bass. Barry played on our stage last year and the place was packed, so be sure to come a little early to get a seat. Limited free parking is available. A $5.00 minimum donation is suggested. Wheelchair accessible. Call 884-0680 or visit www.capemayjazzvespers.com for more information.
Monday August 23rd at 8:00 pm
Jazz Vespers at the First Presbyterian Church, Hughes & Decatur Streets, Cape May, NJ. presents The Odessa Klezmer Band. The group will perform their upbeat, celebratory dance music blending traditional Eastern European/Israeli tunes with jazz improvisation. Ed Goldberg, leader of the group, has been playing Klezmer music for 25 years and has appeared on several award-winning albums, including one Grammy award. Don’t miss this chance to experience the exciting and fun world music. Limited free parking is available. Limited free parking is available. A $5.00 minimum donation is suggested. Wheelchair accessible. Call 884-0680 or visit www.capemayjazzvespers.com for more information.
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