Jazz cabaret in The Underground celebrates Ella Fitzgerald, showcases student talent

Jazz cabaret in The Underground celebrates Ella Fitzgerald, showcases student talentFebruary 07, 2007SU News ServicesSUnews@syr.edu

The Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation and Syracuse University are collaborating to celebrate Black History Month with a jazz cabaret concert featuring Barbara Morrison, Los Angeles jazz vocalist and cabaret entertainer, veteran of the international jazz festival and club scene, and former main stage star at Syracuse’s “Jazz in the Square” festival. The event is Sunday, Feb. 18, from 4-7 p.m. in The Underground in the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center. Tickets are available in advance at the Schine Box Office (443-4517). Admission is $3 with student I.D. and $5 for the public.

The cabaret starts with a “Stars of Tomorrow” showcase featuring some of SU’s finest singing talent, who will be coached in a master class earlier that day by Morrison, visiting artist at the University of Southern California. Immediately following the showcase, Morrison will take the stage for a one-hour-plus show with her jazz trio, presenting “Happy Birthday Ella,” a tribute to beloved jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, who this year celebrates her 90th birthday. Light refreshments will be provided.

Now in her 28th year in the music industry, Morrison has performed with a virtual “Who’s Who” of the jazz and blues worlds, including Tony Bennett, Terence Blanchard, Ron Carter, Dr. John, Dizzy Gillespie, Etta James, Keb’ Mo, James Moody, Joe Sample, Jimmy Smith, Mel Torme, Joe Williams and Nancy Wilson.

She has been featured on more than 20 recordings in almost every genre from traditional jazz and blues to gospel and pop. Her melodic voice, with its two-and-a-half-octave range, is known worldwide, as are her rich, unique, soulful and highly spirited interpretations of both familiar jazz and blues classics and original contemporary tunes.

Seating is limited in The Underground, which will be converted into a concert jazz club for the occasion.