Vincent Gardner and Belinda Munro - FRI 01/09/17

Vincent Gardner, winner of the 2014 DOWNBEAT “Rising Star” Critic’s Poll  for Trombone (and 2014 DOWNBEAT “Rising Star” Critic’s Poll Nominee for Male Vocalist ) is a musician and composer born in Chicago, Illinois. As a bandleader, Gardner has released four albums under the SteepleChase record label. He performs with his own groups frequently, in addition to being the lead trombonist for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (which also features Wynton Marsalis). Gardner also performs often with his brother, trumpeter Derrick Gardner and his ensemble, The Jazz Prophets.

Over the course of his affiliation with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, he has contributed many arrangements and commissioned works for various performances of that ensemble. In 2009 he was commissioned by Jazz At Lincoln Center to compose a work entitled: “The Jesse B. Semple Suite” which featured his original compositions intertwined with the short stories of author Langston Hughes featuring his character Jesse B. Semple. In the 2011-2012 season of Jazz at Lincoln Center Vincent Gardner was the musical director for the crtically acclaimed program “Bird With Strings” which featured Charles McPherson and Wessell “Warmdaddy” Anderson on alto saxophones. In 2013 Vincent Gardner was appointed Director of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra, and actively engages in working with young musicians internationally as part of that initiative.

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Belinda Munro is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, and motivational speaker who ignites the unspoken with her powerful vocals, grace, poise, and dynamic presence. She may be new to some, but to many, she has been on this journey to her dream for years. She first realized her love and passion for music while singing "The Lord's Prayer" in church at the tender age of 4. Since that day she has not put the mic down, and her career has been on a steady upward climb to success.

Her voice has taken her across Canada, the U.S.A, the Caribbean and Europe, sharing stages with countless national and international artists. Recently, Belinda has taken the New York music scene by storm, performing at various venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Village Underground, the Groove, Ashford and Simpson's Sugar Bar, and the world famous Apollo Theater where she was an amateur night winner.

"Her vocals and songwriting ability will capture the passion of your heart," says Farrell. From Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder, to Barbara Streisand, Eric Clapton, Miles Davis, and Donny Hathaway, these artists and their styles have all contributed to molding Belinda into the artist she is today.

Belinda states, “My home is on stage. That's where I feel the most comfortable and connected to my audience. I want people to experience my music as I do, which is music that speaks to the heart and feeds the soul. Despite all the obstacles and oppositions I have come up against, I've come too far to even think of giving it all up!"

Featuring:
Belinda Munro - voice
Vincent Gardner - trombone
John Harkins - piano
Brendan Clarke- bass
Aaron Jansz- drums