Revered as both a torchbearer and a storyteller, jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin possesses a voice hailed for crystalline clarity, warmth and sass. The Cleveland native brings a wealth of diverse influences to her vocal performance from both the Trinidadian/Caribbean roots of her mother and traditional jazz by way of her Louisiana-born father.
At 7pm on Saturday, March 24th a short interview will be conducted by Fenton Sparks to help you get to know Vanessa a bit better. The free concert will start at 7:30 pm.
Her career began as a young woman in 1980 singing in small clubs in Cleveland, Ohio performing with musicians such as Wynn Bibbs, Skip Gibson, saxophonist and arranger Willie Smith, Neal Creque, Matthew “Chink” Stevenson. It did not take her long to make the big trip to New York where she joined up with other jazz musicians like Pharaoh Sanders, Frank Foster and Cecil Bridgewater and Barry Harris. Her first recording contract was with Novus/RCA Records making five albums in three years. “Full Circle” (Creative Perspective Music – 2013) is her most recent recording and is a joint project with saxophonist Don Braden, both of whom are from the Midwest and share a deep appreciation for the Hammond B3.
Vanessa will be performing with an Ohio based trio: Dreve Ivy on piano, Peter Dominguez on bass and Reggie Jackson will to return to the Hayner on drums. In Vanessa’s own words: “I will say they are all fine musicians and wonderful human beings. Drene is a Cleveland native, an accomplished pianist, accompanist, music instructor and Minister of Music at his place of worship. Peter is the Bass Chair at Oberlin College and is one of the best kept secrets on acoustic bass in the country. After 30 years in NY and playing with only the best, I am delighted to discover him right here under my nose in Ohio. Reggie, from Columbus, is no stranger to the center as he has played there previously with Bobby Floyd, whom he plays with regularly and has toured extensively with Grammy Winner Dianne Sure.
The Troy-Hayner Cultural Center is proudly supported by the citizens of the Troy City School District through a local tax levy and generous gifts to the Friends of Hayner. For more information regarding these free events and to receive a complete listing of events taking place at the Hayner Center, please call 339-0457 or visit our website at www.TroyHayner.org for complete details
