Deering Estate presents its Summer Cabaret Concert Series

June 23, July 28, and August 25, 2012. 8:00 p.m.

The Deering Estate at Cutler’s Cabaret Concert Series features intimate concerts inside the historic Stone House Ballroom. The 2012 summer series kicks-off on Saturday, June 23rd with multi-award winning jazz duo Davis and Dow. All concerts begin at 8:00 p.m. and the main gate opens at 7:00 p.m. It is recommended to arrive early for preferred seating. Guests are welcome to bring refreshments and snacks to enjoy during the show.

June 23, 2012. 8:00 p.m. Multi award winning jazz duo Davis and Dow
Multi award winning jazz duo Davis and Dow have chemistry. Soul mates that are two strong halves of one BIG sound. Davis and Dow tackle jazz and pop standards with a daring sense of abandon. Their style is deeply rooted in the classic jazz tradition but with a playfulness that keeps the music fresh and fun. Their arrangements are unique and inventive, always seeking a new approach to everything they do.

Recognized as one of the finest and most versatile jazz singers of her generation, Julie Davis is everything from scat-singer to balladeer. She grew up listening to the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald and others on her parents extensive vinyl collection. Singing jazz came natural to Julie from a young age. “A confident singer with a compelling stage presence who possesses a wry kittenish voice with claws”. “She is a stylist that seeks an original twist on everything she performs; a risk-taker who’s scatting suggests she learned in her bassinet”. Now she feels it is her turn to expose newer generations to a young American art form called jazz.

Kelly Dow is a world-class guitarist whose primary influences are Joe Pass, Jimmy Bruno, Django Reinhardt and the modern day European gypsy jazz virtuosos. He blends Be-Bop, Blues, Flamenco and Classical styles to create a strong individual sound delivered with sensitivity, power, and creativity. “Simply orchestral in support”, “Swinging”, “Fat” “Multi-hued” and “Unexpected” are a few words that critics have used to describe his performance. They’ve toured Japan, London, and New York, composed and performed original music for the TV show FoodNation with Bobby Flay, and produced Great Jazz Divas: a multimedia show that celebrates women, music, and history. Their CD Naked won Best Jazz Album-Florida Music Awards, and was featured in JazzTimes Magazine’s 2002 year in review issue. D&D were voted Best Jazz Artists-New Times Magazine and Julie Davis was voted Best Jazz Vocalist-City Link Magazine. Recent performances include the 2007 Palm Beach Jazz Festival, a Penn State University tour, and they were awarded a juried showcase at the prestigious Performing Arts Exchange 2007 in Louisville, KY. Recently Davis and Dow won a two-year grant by the Florida Cultural Arts Division to perform in underserved communities. “Davis and Dow are the real thing, exciting to hear and watch”. Loverly their new CD which features Federico Britos on violin with a full ensemble is now available.

July 28, 2012. 8:00 p.m. Jazz saxophonist Jesse Jones Jr.
Jazz is alive in South Florida and Jesse Jones Jr. is here to prove it. The Miami native is a saxophonist extraordinaire and continues to be on the forefront of a burgeoning jazz renaissance in South Florida. Jesse and his brother, Melton Mustafa, who is one of the great trumpet players of our time has been a running force in music for many years. Jesse Jones Jr. is one of those hidden treasures that you can’t help but to share with the world. Jesse overwhelms you with his infectious positive attitude and dynamic stage presence.

Jesse Jones Jr. attended Mississippi Valley State University where he excelled in music, but his journey actually started in Miami where as a young kid he would listen to a neighbor practice his sax while playing along with Cannonball Adderley albums. “I loved that sound and knew right then I was going to be a musician for the rest of my life”. After college Jones joined the military and became a member of the US Navy Show Band. He traveled throughout North and South America where he was given the opportunity to develop his showmanship skills. Besides playing the sax, clarinet and flute, Jesse sang, tap dance and did comedy skits, and found that he had a natural gift for getting the crowd to become part of him. “I just love to perform and make people feel good and satisfied with what they’re hearing and seeing”.

After serving out his four year term in the military, Jesse lived in Boston for a while, then back to his home town Miami, where he signed with Fantasy Records in 1996 and produced his first CD titled “Soul Serenade”. Most recently promoting his latest CD, released May 1st , 2009, “ The SO THEN Collection”. With this CD, you not only hear great music, but you can also taste the many sweet flavors coming from this wonderful musician/entertainer. Through the many years of performing, music has treated me well. I have performed with Donald Byrd, Blue Mitchell, Dexter Gordon, Joe Williams, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Clark Terry, Allan Harris, Ira Sullivan, Melton Mustafa, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Monty Alexander, to name a few.

August 25, 2012. 8:00 p.m. The Gary Thomas Jazz Ensemble
The Gary Thomas Trio has been performing extensively in and around Miami for the past two years. Gary Thomas, on acoustic bass, has recently completed both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree at the University in Miami, majoring in jazz bass performance. Formally from north Florida, Gary has been studying, performing, and working professionally as a jazz bassist for the past ten years. Angelo Versace, on piano, has also completed a Master’s degree at the University of Miami, and is currently working to obtain a Doctorate, also in jazz performance. Formally from Pennsylvania, Angelo has worked for many years as a professional pianist in both Philadelphia and Miami. It was at the University of Miami that Angelo and Gary first met and eventually decided to form a jazz trio alongside drummer Mike Piolet, a fellow classmate in the school of music. Mike has worked professionally as a jazz drummer in both Miami and Chicago, his hometown. Altogether, the Gary Thomas Trio combines the elements of swing, gospel, and contemporary jazz to form a truly unique, yet familiar style of music.

Single tickets are $20 or $55 for the three-concert series. Limited seating is available. Advance tickets are recommended. Tickets can be purchased online for an additional fee or by calling the Deering Estate Ticket Office at 305.235.1668 ext. 233.

Deering Estate
16701 SW 72nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33157
305.235.1668
www.deeringestate.org

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