It’s no secret that St. Louis has been a major player in the jazz music scene. The widely popular music started by African-Americans in the early 20th century has produced noteworthy St. Louis natives such as Miles Davis and more recently, Denise Thimes. This summer The Nu-Art Series will pay homage to four female jazz legends with the Jazz Singers series.
“[For this] I went out in search of new voices,” said George Sams, founder of The Nu-Art Series, a not-for-profit arts organization. “This society only ever allows one black anything; we can only have one black rep, one black singer. There’s not a lot of diversity here, but we have a lot of young artists coming along and it’s important to hear them.”
Sams – a jazz musician – has lived in several places, but spent his formative years in St. Louis.
He started playing instruments during early adolescence, and began touring in his teens. Sams went on to teach music at the New College of California in San Francisco. Sams left the college in 1986 and later returned to St. Louis to establish The Nu-Art Series in 1996.
The objective of The Nu-Art series is to educate the community through visual, musical, and performance art, placing emphasis on artists of African-American and other minority group descent.
“Arts allow for problem solving, because you’re doing a lot of improvisation when you’re dealing with the arts. You can’t really look on someone else’s canvas to get the answer. It’s a subject that you can’t cheat at,” said Sams.
Through donations and admissions fees, the organization pays well established local artists to showcase true musicianship. This is the first year for the Jazz Singers show which will feature Nikki Washington, Felicia Ezell, Mardra Thomas and Erika Johnson, singing the music of some of the biggest names in jazz.
“These four black women are definitely people you need to listen to,” Sams said. “They’re new and they have young, exciting voices. I think the artists they are singing will give them the freedom to be creative.”
Sams is very proud of the work his organization is doing as well as the community’s reception of the Nu-Art Series.
“We’re known for cutting-edge stuff, and I would say we have some of the most diverse audiences in the city,” according to Sams. “We pride ourselves in being able to present art that makes people think. That’s what art is supposed to do.”
The line-up for the Jazz Singers series is as follows:
July 3 – Nikki Washington singing Sarah Vaughan</>b
Washington is a St. Louis native who is classically trained in piano and began singing in the children’s choir at her church around the age of three. Washington attended school at Emory University, majoring in English and Communications. She is now a senior marketing manager for the Sears Portrait Studio, but music continues to be part of her life. Washington made her professional debut as a vocalist in 2001 and is anxious to improve and challenge herself with the music of Sarah Vaughan
July 10 – Felicia Ezell singing Ella Fitzgerald
Ezell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in music from Millikin University and a Juris Doctorate from Texas Southern University. This St. Louis attorney’s passion for music started when she began singing for school and church choirs as well as playing in bands and orchestras. With more than 25 years of theater and stage experience, Ezell loves the spontaneity and openness of the art industry but criticizes today’s artists, stating that many are only concerned with what will sell versus giving audiences real music.
July 24 – Mardra Thomas singing Nancy Wilson
Well known for her realistic portrayal of Billie Holiday, Thomas has gained a lot of recognition, touring internationally with big bands and small ensembles. The full-time performer has recorded with numerous big names, and often combines her talents in theater and music when performing The Jazz Story and Women in Jazz. She lives in St. Louis and has released two albums through different music labels.
July 31 – Erika Johnson singing Anita O’Day
Johnson is from East St. Louis and developed a love for jazz while attending Lincoln Senior High School, playing with their world renowned jazz band. Afterwards, she continued her development, traveling around the world and performing with musicians such as Grammy award-winning saxophonist, James Carter.
The Jazz Singers series takes place at The Nu-Art Series’ Metropolitan Gallery (2936 Locust Street). Each show will be from 3-6 p.m. and will have a $10 admissions fee. For more information, please call (314) 535-6500 or visit www.thenu-artseries.org.
