Jeanne O'Connor Jazz Group - April 4
Prime Performance - Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 12:15pm
This “captivating jazz singer” (The New York Times) has delved deep into the heart of the Great American Songbook with swing, subtlety and deep musicality. She has also brought her clear, expressive alto voice to pop, Latin music and R&B. For this one-hour midday program, she will be joined by Peg Delaney on piano, Pete Toigo on bass, Bob Halek on drums and Brian Patneaude on saxophone.
- Free admission
- No tickets required
Presented in partnership with the Albany Musicians Association and Department of Music and Theatre with funding support from the University at Albany Foundation, University Auxiliary Services and Music Performance Trust Fund. (Photos by Janis Wilkins)
Jeanne O'Connor is a vocalist who has delved deep into the heart of the Great American Songbook with swing, subtlety and deep musicality. She has also brought her clear, expressive alto voice to pop, Latin music and R&B. For much of her career, O’Connor has explored the different corners of the jazz world, appearing with small jazz ensembles, vocal groups and big bands. Her swing, scat and samba can be heard on her debut CD Something’s Coming.
O’Connor has appeared at New York's Blue Note, Elaine's, Sweet Rhythm, Rainbow Room, Smoke and many other jazz clubs. She was recently a featured vocalist on the opening night of "Midsummer Night's Swing" at Lincoln Center, sharing the stage with Nicholas Payton. She did a six-week run at the Guggenheim Museum as part of its "Worldbeat Jazz" series. In New York’s Capital Region, O’Connor has appeared at the legendary Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, Justin’s in Albany, Upbeat on the Roof at Skidmore’s Tang Museum, “A Place for Jazz” concert series in Schenectady, concerts sponsored by the Swingtime Jazz Society and the Saratoga Arts Festival. She has appeared frequently with Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, perhaps the most celebrated early-jazz big band in the United States.
The New York Times has described O’Connor as “a captivating singer” and The Times Union has called her “exquisite” while The Daily Freeman claimed, “Timeless and true, O'Connor is the real thing.”
This event is one of four this season that shines a spotlight on local artists as part of the UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s Prime Performance Series. Others area performers that have been highlighted this season include Quintocracy, composer/conductor Brett Wery, Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, Capital Trio and storytellers Marni Gillard, Aya Mahmoud, Claire Nolan and Stephanie Ward.