Cay Fatima
Saturday May 10, 2008
8PM-10PM
www.harlemjazzconcertfestival.eventbrite.com

A multi-instrumentalist, well versed in piano, flute, guitar, bass, and percussion, Cay Fatima is a jazz composer of great creativity! Honoring the artist-to-audience connection Cay Fatima delivers every note with a stream of openness allowing her audience to feel all that she is feeling. People often leave touched-- some to the point of tears-- while others, like Essence Magazine's Susan Taylor appreciate Cay Fatima's work for its soothing effects.

In addition to sharing her music Cay Fatima will also be showcasing her photography of famed musicians, such as B.B. King, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. So come out and enjoy this double feast of culture!.

Andrea Tierra
Saturday May 17, 2008
8 PM- 10 PM
www.harlemjazzconcertfestival.eventbrite.com

www.andreatierra.com

Andrea Tierra is an innovative singer mixing popular Latin American rythms with jazz, flamenco and the essence of her own poems which she brings to life in all of her performances. Her songs are progressive and carry a message against world injustices. Her contralto voice tourches the hearts of the audiences with her interpretations of contemporary love songs as well as new generation songs. Andre Tierra transcends the age gap with the intensity that onlhy a musical leader can do.

Sweet Plantain
Saturday June 14, 2008
8 PM- 10 PM
www.harlemjazzconcertfestival.eventbrite.com

Sweet Plantain is a string quartet that specializes in genre-blurring, original compositions and arrangements as well as contemporary works by Latin American composers. Its unique style fuses Latin, classical, jazz, and improvisational forms.
The group's mission is to give voice to a contemporary, urban, Latino sound, and so much of the group's repertoire is rooted in improvisation.

Chanda Rule
Saturday June 21, 2008
8 PM- 10 PM
www.harlemjazzconcertfestival.eventbrite.com

Born in between the off beats, and bump and grind of the Disco/Funk-Era in the Windy City, Chanda began weaving stories through song, humming melodies, and bending words as a child. A self-proclaimed "childhood shower singing sensation", music was her secret solace. Snuggly entrenched in a family that revered academic achievements, singing was a dream realized in school girl chorus lines and at church on Sunday mornings. After graduating from Howard University with a degree in Journalism and a whirlwind stint in Corporate America, her passion for song was rediscovered. "One day I was on the train, and felt as though I'd forgotten myself. There I was, riding to work on a Monday morning, thinking about projects, deadlines, and emails, when my heart was crying out for music."

Album: Elin
Special Jazz Conert May 3, 2008 8 to 10 PM Born Kathleen Elin Melgarejo, Elin was raised in Sweden by Peruvian and Irish parents, and was steeped in multiculturalism from birth. She grew up speaking Swedish, English, Spanish and French, and later in life added German, Italian and Portuguese to her arsenal of languages. As a student, Elin traveled throughout Europe studying various instruments from the age of seven. At age 15, she began her professional singing career as lead vocalist in the Swedish pop/rock band 4U, with whom she released a chart-topping single. When her success with 4U landed her gigs with several renowned jazz acts at Sweden's major festivals, Elin became increasingly aware of her affinity for performing as a jazz singer. Upon graduating from music high school in Norrköping, she relocated to Florida and earned a music degree from the Jazz and Studio Music Program at the University of Miami School of Music. While at the University of Miami, Elin made a living performing steady gigs on Miami's South Beach. The notoriety she earned on South Beach for her ability to sing in English, Portuguese and Spanish landed Elin gigs as a background vocalist with the likes of Julio Iglesias, Christian Castro, the Artie Shaw Orchestra, the Rio Jazz Orchestra (in Brazil), Jaci Velasquez, as well as at the Dove Music Awards and Sony Music Showcase for the Latin Billboards. 'LAZY AFTERNOON' CD SELECTIONS, with SONG NOTES BY ELIN: 1. Fascinating Rhythm/Telefone - G. Gershwin/I. Gershwin-WB Music Corp 4:23 Somehow, out of all our attempts at marrying Brazilian and American classics...this one really worked. Fascinating Rhythm was new to me, but how could you not fall in love with its fascinating rhythm?! And Telefone has been a love of mine for a long time now...particularly because of its own fascinating...you know what.