 “It’s quite possible that one of 2018’s best jazz vocal albums was recorded some six decades ago. Let me explain. Smithsonian/Folkways recently released the anthology Hot Jazz, Cool Blues & Hard-Hitting Songs, a double album that encompasses a large but hardly comprehensive swath of Barbara Dane’s music. Never interested in fitting neatly into music industry slots, Dane, a longtime Oakland resident, was guided by her social conscience, and the album includes many of the freedom songs and protest anthems that she sang at rallies and events around the country. But Hot Jazz also offers a potent reminder that Dane was the era’s greatest white blues singer, a gift that overlapped considerably with her nonpareil command of jazz.” (Andrew Gilbert) Leonard Feather, writing in Playboy, called her "Bessie Smith in stereo!" AndTime magazine quoted Louis Armstrong, having just caught Dane, telling his agent, "Did you get that chick? She's a gasser."
Barbara Dane’s rare east coast appearance at Joe’s Pub this Thursday celebrates the release of this career-spanning collection, reflecting over 60 years of Dane's eclectic musical history and offering unparalleled insight into the living legend cited as an inspiration by Bob Dylan and Bonnie Raitt, and whose own early mentors included Pete Seeger and Count Basie.
This special concert will feature Tammy Hall (piano), Ruth Davies (bass) and Daria Johnson (drums) plus special guests from Cuba, Osamu (guitar) & Pablo Menendez (harmonica and guitar).
Dane has "a jazz musician’s sense of rhythm, a blues singer’s deep investment in the material, and a folk stylist’s attention to authenticity” (The Boston Globe).
Harnessing the energy of someone half her age, she continues inspiring audiences as an outspoken and indomitable woman who fearlessly followed her conscience and is still going strong, free of regrets, with wit, wisdom and swing.
|
HOT OFF THE PRESSES!