Jackie Myers may have the Midas touch for groove, conjuring up musical styles ranging from soul, jazz, and modern R&B each time the talented pianist places her hands on the keys. Daytrotter’s Pat Stolley says of Jackie’s music “It reminds me of Joni Mitchell’s jazz period.” The finesse on her chosen instrument plays complement to what the Austin Chronicle describes as “her earthy lungs” – beautiful, captivating, complex, and always with an edge.
2017 saw Myers featured on a Daytrotter session which was lauded as one of the best of that week's releases by the site. She also produced and composed for the project "Silent Films Out Loud," A Buster Keaton tribute that commissioned new scores for several short films, which were played live in tandem with a screening of the films at Austin's premier theater - The Stateside at the Paramount. Myers also produced and performed in a live recreation of Carole King’s Tapestry at Stubb's. Last but not least, Myers released her album Third which has enjoyed a fair amount of airplay and success throughout the year.
Third! was recorded in Austin at 5th Street Studios (White Denim, Leon Bridges) and features guitarist Michael Brinley (Black Joe Lewis) and Eduardo Torres (Black Joe Lewis, La Mafia) on drums. The album was meticulously crafted by Myers, with its arrangements and orchestrations of original compositions and unique covers planned track by track. “We’d start the sessions with me handing out sheet music. It wasn't a ‘This is in Bb minor, go!’ type thing at all,” explains Myers. The 11 tracks on Third! range from “the answer to the Doo-wop era” to the “uncharted territory of synths,” exploring a wide array of subject matter from notorious criminals and existential perils to childhood nostalgia. The album saw airplay on several radio stations including KXCI, KMUZ, KAFM, KHUM, NPR affiliate stations: KCUR and KGOU and is the regular rotation on KLOI even a year later.
The Instrumental One, Myers most recent release is a live album she was invited to record at the prestigious venue The Green Lady in Kansas City, MO. The album was featured in Kansas City’s music Magazine The Jam; and received a positive review by music columnist Roger Atkinson who gave his nod of approval at the end of the review with his closing sentiment “Jackie Myers has a new fan: me.”
The Folly is thrilled to have Jackie bring her talents to the Lounge series on December 7, at 7pm. Tickets are on sale - $22 This is a listening room experience. Go to follytheater.org for more information and to purchase tickets.
Folly Jazz Series Continues with David Benoit Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown Friday, December 10th
With Special Guests Courtney Fortune & the Kansas City Boys and Kansas City Girls Choir
In 1965, the first-ever “Peanuts” animated special took place. It was a landmark event and it was the start of a tradition that would continue year after year. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is a tradition enjoyed around the world by fans of all ages. Now, over 50 years later, Contemporary Jazz Piano Legend, David Benoit along with distinguished Vocalist, Courtney Fortune, is paying tribute to this incredible piece of entertainment history, with a “David Benoit Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown With Special Guest Courtney Fortune”.
This inspirational tribute concert features the classic music of Vince Guaraldi along with “Charlie Brown Christmas” originals from David Benoit, who took over the helm as music composer for the new Charlie Brown Christmas TV Specials more than a decade ago, as well as classics from David Benoit’s illustrious career as a Multi- Grammy Nominated Solo Artist. The show also features the young voices of a local children’s choir, which serves as a wonderful way of getting the local community involved. The heart-warming show is sure to get the audience in that Christmas Spirit and bring out the ‘kid’ in all of us this holiday season.
Courtney Fortune is an acclaimed singer, songwriter and performance coach. She has been recognized by the John Lennon Foundation, Glamour Magazine, and Genlux Magazine as “America’s Next Big Jazz Singer”, and has written and performed songs for Atlantic Records, Universal Music Group, Sony Japan, Disney, Cartoon Network, MTV and ABC. She was named one of Glamour Magazine’s “Top 10 College Women” in 2009, and received the Brian Wilson Musical Achievement Award for her work in the songwriting field.
Band Line-Up
David Benoit – Piano
Roberto Vally – Bass
Dan Schnelle – Drums
Courtney Fortune – Vocals
JazzTalk at 7:00PM
Go to follytheater.org for more information and to purchase tickets.
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