Vocalist Audrey Shakir will be performing at the Atlanta Jazz Festival on Saturday, May 28, at 5 pm. Ms. Shakir is a veteran of the New York jazz scene, who has performed with greats such as Kenny Barron, Duke Pearson and Lionel Hampton. She was also a regular performer at the late, lamented Village Gate nightclub.
Proving that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, her son Walter Blanding, Jr. is a renowned tenor saxophonist, who was a member of the Tough Young Tenors in the ‘90’s and is now featured with Wynton Marsalis’ Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
She has also released an album, If You Could See Me Now, backed by Barron, Reginald Veal and drummer Justin Varnes. It’s available on CDBaby.
She has been an Atlanta resident since 1989 and has performed at many Atlanta area clubs and festivals, including the AJF.
You can read more about Audrey Shakir in Jason Crane’s 2007 article about her in The Jazz Session. You can also see her perform as a part of this 2010 video clip about Jazz Appreciation Month in Mobile, AL.
But better yet, why not catch Audrey Shakir live, at the Atlanta Jazz Festival, next Saturday. Hope to see you there.
For further information about the 2011 Atlanta Jazz Festival, visit their website: http://atlantafestivals.com/
Curt's Jazz Cafe 