Hearing Tyreek McDole gives you hope. Hope that not only will jazz singing survive, but that it’s being imbued with a new creativity and spirit that will enable it to thrive and cross-over. In 2018 McDole won the Essentially Ellington competition for Outstanding Vocalist at Jazz at Lincoln Center. In 2023, he won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, just the second time it was given to a male singer. Last year he released his critically acclaimed debut album, Open Up Your Senses, which reached #1 on the JazzWeek chart. It featured such A-listers as Sullivan Fortner and Kenny Barron. This past weekend he wowed the crowd at the Saratoga Jazz Festival with his soulful singing and tight band of longtime compadres.
McDole has a wisdom and compassionate world view that is inspiring and rare for an artist still in his 20s. “My whole album is about enlightenment. My message is to hopefully help us maintain a humanity to see one another as human beings and to try and seek that inner light so that we can be that for others as well,” he said.
The singer was thrilled to be in such esteemed company at the 49th annual Saratoga Jazz Festival. “It’s amazing to be platformed amongst all the greatness that I’m surrounded by. I just got to see Chris Potter. I’m from Orlando, Florida and there’s not much jazz going on, y’all don’t like to tour in Florida. What’s up with that?” McDole laughed. “To be able to experience this first-hand and to be on a bill with the same names as Bill Frisell, Terri Lyne Carrington, Patti LaBelle, to name a few. It’s amazing that through this music I have the opportunity to share the stage… and aspire to create on the level with all the heroes I love so much. It means so much, and to show new music.” Other notable performers at the diverse festival included Dianne Reeves, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Lakecia Benjamin, Cecile McLorin Salvant, the Miles Electric Band, and Eddie 9V. Preparations are already underway for next year’s golden anniversary of the festival.
McDole’s newly released single “Wild Is The Wind” was inspired by the Nina Simone version and his second album is on the way. He will play the Southampton Arts Center on July 11 before heading to Europe for a few shows with Barron this summer. The sky’s the limit for this special artist who continues to grace us with his light.
Listen to the complete interview with Tyreek McDole below:
