Legendary Los Angeles Jazz Institution the Jazz Bakery has a big weekend of shows later in June with Mary Stallings performing on June 22 and the Dori Caymmi Quartet playing on June 23. Both shows will be held at 8:00pm at the Kirk Douglas Theater, the jewel of the Culver City Theater District, located at 9820 Washington Blvd, Culver City CA 90232. Tickets for the shows are available from links at www.jazzbakery.com.
Called “Perhaps the best jazz singer singing today” by the New York Times, Mary Stallings plays the Jazz Bakery June 22
Called “Perhaps the best jazz singer singing today” by the New York Times, San Francisco native Mary Stallings is a passionate, robust singer, greatly influenced by Carmen McRae. The niece of saxman Orlando Stallings, she started singing as a child and sang jazz in Bay Area clubs during her teenage years, when she performed with Louis Jordan & His Tympani 5 and shared the stage with such greats as Wes Montgomery and Ben Webster. One of Stallings’ admirers was vibist Cal Tjader, whom she teamed up with in 1961 for Cal Tjader Plays, Mary Stallings Sings on Fantasy. But regrettably, albums by Stallings were few and far between. After stints with Dizzy Gillespie and Billy Eckstine in the 1960s, Stallings toured with the Count Basie Orchestra as a featured vocalist from 1969-1972. The singer was still in Basie’s employ when, in 1971, she gave birth to her only child, noted R&B singer Adriana Evans. Pharoah Sanders became Evans’ godfather, and Stallings went into semi-retirement from music to raise her daughter.
Though she performed occasionally, it wasn’t until the late ’80s that Stallings seriously resumed her career. She made a long overdue return to record stores with Clarity Recordings’ 1990 audiophile release Fine and Mellow, and in 1994 Stallings signed with Concord Jazz and recorded I Waited for You. Some equally memorable Concord albums followed, Spectrum in 1995 and Manhattan Moods in 1996, and Stallings’ admirers were glad to see her recording regularly again. She was back on Clarity in 1998 for Trust Your Heart and returned in 2001 with the concert album Live at the Village Vanguard on MAXJAZZ. She then teamed with pianist Geri Allen for the 2005 Half Note release Remember Love. In 2010, Stallings delivered Dream on Highnote, featuring pianist Eric Reed, who also produced the album.
Rooted in Bossa Nova, but with his own unique sound, multi Grammy-winning jazz musician Dori Caymmi plays at the Jazz Bakery June 23
Rooted in Bossa Nova, but with his own unique sound, multi Grammy-winning jazz musician Dori Caymmi has enjoyed a career of public and peer recognition. His currently released album, Poesia Musicada, is a loving commemoration of his father’s memory. Following the path laid by his father and namesake, legendary Brazilian musician, Dorival Caymmi, Dori has created a style of music and a list of credits any musician would covet. His modern approach to a classic sound results in a stimulating blend of Jazz, Pop, and Brazilian influence, which beautifully continue the musical tradition of his family.
With 13 solo albums to his credit, Caymmi has secured his place as a staple in the world of Brazilian Jazz, recognized through 2 Latin Grammys and 7 Grammy nominations. The Brazilian government recently awarded him the Ordem do Rio Branco, a medal celebrating his efforts to spread Brazilian music and culture around the world. With over 100 years of Brazilian musical history flowing through his veins, Dori Caymmi’s works and performances stand to represent the musical voice of Brazil. Experienced and dedicated, Caymmi continues to collaborate, produce and perform his music with the same passion that has marked his entire career enriching all of our lives.