PROGRAM
James Jenkins Jazz Series Curator & Jacksonville Jazz Collective Director
Linda Cole Vocalist
Lisa Kelly Vocalist
Bonnie Eisele Vocalist
Jacksonville Jazz Collective
Recognizing the legacy of vocalists in jazz, the Jacksonville Jazz Collective collaborates with the region’s three most regarded female jazz chanteuses for this unique showcase performance. Steeped in the swing tradition, each with charismatic stage presence and signature styles all their own, this exciting concert will feature three superb ladies of song: Linda Cole of the Nat “King” Cole family music dynasty, Jacksonville Jazz Festival “Hall of Fame” Inductee Lisa Kelly and Bonnie Eisele of the Dynamic Les DeMerle Band. Singing from a repertoire of Great American Songbook classics to songs of American pop and Broadway, each artist will be featured and perform together in artful, original arrangements, through interpretive styles of groovin’ swing, sensitive Bossa Nova, heartfelt ballads, light funk, Bluesy shuffles, energetic Bebop and more. With notable careers that have spanned years and taken them around the world, enjoy this special tribute to great jazz vocalists through the performances of these three stellar songstresses of the artform!
FEATURED ARTISTS
James Jenkins Jazz Series Curator & Jacksonville Jazz Collective Director
A 1983 graduate of the University of Miami, Mr. Jenkins served as the Principal Tubist with the Alabama Symphony for 10 years, along with holding faculty positions at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa), The University of Montevallo, Samford University, Birmingham Southern College, and the University of Miami. He is also the Jazz Series Curator and Jacksonville Jazz Collective Director...continue reading
Linda Cole Vocalist
At age 3, Linda Cole, of the Cole Family Dynasty, began singing with her father and mother, James (relative of Nat King Cole) and Erma (sister to Globe Trotter Deacon Davis) Cole in Freeport, Illinois. In the following years, as the family added six more singing Cole children, Linda became instrumental in the formation of the "Singing Cole Family"...continue reading
Lisa Kelly Vocalist
With a career of nearly 40 years, Lisa Kelly is regarded as one of the premier jazz vocalists and mentors on the jazz scene. With a mother who sang opera and a father who played harmonica with the famous Harmonicats, she was drawn to the challenging creativity and historic legacy of jazz, developing her signature smooth-toned, intimate style and improvisational ‘horn-like’ scatting approach...continue reading
Bonnie Eisele Vocalist
Talented vocalist, Chicago native, Bonnie Eisele’s diverse early professional performing experience includes theatrical tours in the U.S. and Europe with the Chicago Free Street Theater, studio recording on TV and radio commercials; musical shows at the Chicago Playboy Club, Chicagofest, Drury Lane Theater and Miami’s Fountainebleau plus...continue reading
Jacksonville Jazz Collective
The Jax Jazz Collective, which consists of some of the finest jazz musicians based in Jacksonville, Florida, first came together in 2012. Pianist Joshua Bowlus remembers: “Most of us had played together previously and we wanted to create a group that we felt was representative of our diverse musical experiences and of jazz in Jacksonville in general...continue reading
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Jazz Series