Universal Temple of the Arts (UTA) Staten Island JAZZ Festival returns to the St. George Theatre for its 36th rendition of jazz excellence on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The festival will feature performances by several star players including Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet, an esteemed saxophonist, composer, and vocalist known for her captivating stage presence and innovative approach to jazz.
Camille Thurman spoke recently to WBGO's "Queen of Hang" Sheila Anderson about the festival and her new album Confluence: Vol 1: Alhambra.
Thurman says she's really excited about Confluence (released this past October).
"There are originals. There are also some other tunes that you might not expect to hear in a jazz genre. We did our own rendition of "Going Out of My Head" with maybe a little sprinkle of Betty Carter influence and some classics from our favorite composers like Horace Silver. It's a really good project."
Thurman stresses it's been a joy working with the Darrell Green Quartet and this latest album reflects that.
"You can really hear the connectivity of all the musicians and all the arrangements, and the selection of songs and pieces that were really dear to us. We always like mixing it up. We love our standards but we also love connecting with audiences across genres and age spans. You get a little bit of everything on that album."
Thurman says she will perform plenty of tunes from the live album during the December 20 concert at St. George Theatre.
Other performers at Universal Temple of the Arts (UTA) Staten Island Jazz Festival:
Lakecia Benjamin, an alto saxophonist who plays jazz that is sprinkled with the rich flavors of funk and soul—she’s a crafty traditionalist who remains in step with the rhythms of the young generation,
Brandee Younger, a groundbreaking harpist who is redefining the role of the harp in contemporary music;
Olatuja, a mesmerizing vocalist with a powerful voice and a wide-ranging repertoire
The festival will also honor Tracy Hyter-Suffern, Director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, and Robin Bell-Stevens, Executive Director of Jazzmobile, for their extraordinary and significant contributions to the jazz world. WBGO's Sheila Anderson will host the festival and the event is curated by UTA’s Musical Director, Dr. Darrell Smith, this festival promises a joyful, hip, eclectic night of jazz.
