THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT. Please check back soon for info on the March Crosstown Jazz Series performance.
Tickets – $15 (purchase on Eventbrite)
Jazz tribute to the music of Ella Fitzgerald featuring Jiana Hunter (vocals), Alvie Givhan (piano), Sylvester Sample (acoustic bass), Kelvin Walters (alto saxophone), and James Sexton (drums).
The Crosstown Jazz Series, presented by Strictly Jazz Entertainment in collaboration with Crosstown Arts, is designed to salute classic jazz music as contemporary musicians perform the work of the legends.
Dubbed “The First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. In her lifetime, she won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums. Her voice was flexible, wide-ranging, accurate and ageless. She could sing sultry ballads, sweet jazz and imitate every instrument in an orchestra.
Doors at 6:30 pm | performance at 7 pm
About Jiana Hunter:
Jiana Hunter received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Kentucky State University and a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies Performance (Voice) from Western Michigan University. Having journeyed from Motown to the Memphis by way of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jiana has been a music educator and presenter for Music Educator Association Conferences in Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee. Special topics include: artistry, genre authenticity, vocal health and state presence.
Jiana served as the Vocal Division Head of Visible Music College, Professor of Vocal Jazz at
Oakland University, Jazz Voice instructor for Arts League of Michigan and master class
presenter at Middle Tennessee State University hosted by Dr. Cedric Dent. (Take 6) Jiana has also taught choral and/or vocal jazz for the dynamic, community and student-centered program of Stax Music Academy, Shelby County Schools and St. Georges Independent Schools.
Active in the music community, Jiana can be found singing lead and backing vocalist in the
genres of Pop, Soul, Jazz, Gospel/Praise and Worship and Gospel Jazz. Locally, Jiana has
performed alongside of Steve Lee, Prime Cut Band and Bamboo Forest in addition to various sponsored events by Memphis Music Commission, Dizzy Bird Jazz Lounge and national corporations.
Jiana has performed with notable musical imprints such as Darmon Meader, Billy Hart, Bobby McFerrin, Pastor Marvin L. Winans (Perfecting Church), Michael F. Mack, Dorinda Clark Cole, Jonathan Dunn, Tamela Mann, Donnie McClurkin, Donald Lawrence, Phil Perry, Maysa, Anthony Hamilton, Eric Roberson and KEM.
Ms. Hunter is an active songwriter and arranger. Her arrangements have been performed and/or recorded with students from Gold Company (WMU), The School for Creative and Performing Arts, (Cinti, Ohio) Marvin L. Winans Academy of Performing Arts (Detroit, Mi) and Stax Music Academy.
Jiana released her first Gospel Jazz single “True Love” (on a digital media outlets) from her
upcoming debut album “For You.”
About Strictly Jazz Entertainment:
Strictly Jazz Entertainment is committed to cultivating a growing community in the knowledge and appreciation of jazz. We facilitate dialogue and collaboration between the devoted supporters of jazz and the brand new constituents – those new to the genre – for the furthering of the jazz community. We provide a bridge between leading artists and a community that typically does not embrace jazz by promoting concerts in various venues to generate an atmosphere that is viable for the absorption of pure jazz.
