Breakaway Productions, in association with FOXY 106.9FM and WSIE 88.7 The Sound, present the one-and-only Regina Belle live in concert at Harris-Stowe State University’s Givens Auditorium (3026 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, MO.) on Sunday, April 7th.
R&B and smooth jazz saxophonist Tim Cunningham and comedian Nick Jackson are also on the show.
Victory‘s eclectic singing and songwriting output draws on the soul, jazz, folk, and gospel music she learned growing up as a performer in family groups including Infinity Song. Possessing a distinctively rich, honeyed rasp, she made her solo recording debut on Jay-Z‘s Roc Nation label with the EP It’s a New Dawn in 2017. She followed it with the warm, soul-injected adult pop of her full-length debut, 2018’s The Broken Instrument. After working with Kanye West during sessions for his 2019 album, Jesus Is King, she returned with a more ambitious and spiritual solo album, Glory Hour (2023), which included spoken recitations, electronics, and a more devoted gospel bearing.
Victory Elyse Boyd is one of nine siblings who grew up singing in the Boys & Girls Choir of Detroit, a group founded by her father, John Boyd. Victory started performing with the choir at the age of four. She later studied jazz guitar. The family moved from Detroit to North Bergen, New Jersey when she was 12, and they started busking together under various monikers, including Peace Industry Music Group, at New York City tourist attractions and subway platforms. The family eventually became known for appearing regularly in the Minton Tile Arcade next to Bethesda Fountain, a spot favored for its acoustics.
An offshoot of the group, Infinity Song, was formed by Victory with her older brother Abraham and younger sister Angel. Sometimes adding other members of the family to the lineup, Infinity Song rose to national prominence in 2015 after pop singer Tori Kelly came across them one day in Central Park. Kelly joined in, an event captured on video by a fan, which led to an appearance by Kelly and Infinity Song on the ABC morning show The View. Also in 2015, Peace Industry Music Group released Infinity Song‘s eponymous debut LP. A year later, the family performed for Jay-Z, who quickly signed them to his Roc Nation label.
Drawing some comparisons to idol Nina Simone for both her unusual voice and jazzy proclivities, Victory made her solo debut in 2017 with the Roc Nation-issued EP It’s a New Dawn. The title was taken from her favorite line in Simone‘s song “Feeling Good,” which she covered on the release. With production by hip-hop artist 9th Wonder, Victory‘s warm full-length debut, The Broken Instrument, followed in 2018. While mostly self-produced, it involved an array of collaborators, among them her father, Jon Batiste, and horn and string sections.
Victory soon accepted an invitation to work with Kanye West on material for his 2019 album, Jesus Is King, ultimately earning a songwriting credit on “Closed for Sunday.” (The song “Glory” featuring Boyd was recorded but not included on the album.) Inspired by the experience to take more chances, her next album was a more artful one that included spoken word segments, atmospheric electronics, and more passionate, gospel-minded performances. Produced by Kaleb Moten, who also co-wrote some of the songs, Glory Hour arrived on Roc Nation in May 2023.
Written by Marcy Donelson
The 12th annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival will run from November 3rd through 19 at various locations in Newark, New Jersey. There will be a wide range of performers, such as: Dee Dee Bridgewater with Bill Charlap, Take 6, Abdullah Ibrahim, Gladys Knight, Dave Grusin, Cyrus Chestnut, Steve Turre, Christian McBride with Savion Glover, and that is just to name a few.
See below dates, locations, and lineup for each event.
Friday, November 3 starting at 7:30 p.m.
Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap
NJPAC’s Victoria Theater
Saturday, November 4 starting at 3:00 p.m.
WBGO Kid’s Concert Series / Elio Villafranca Quartet presents “Standing by The Crossroads”
NJPAC’s Victoria Theater
Saturday, November 4 starting at 8:00 p.m.
Grupo Niche & Héctor Acosta “El Torito” Tropicaliente
NJPAC’s Prudential Hall
Thursday, November 9 starting at 7:30 p.m.
Ranky Tanky with special guest Ms. Lisa Fischer
NJPAC’s Victoria Theater
Friday, November 10 starting at 7:30 p.m.
Omara Portuondo
NJPAC’s Victoria Theater
Saturday, November 11 starting at 7:30 p.m.
Take 6 with special guest Hillary-Marie
Victoria Theater
Sunday, November 12 starting at 3:00 p.m.
Abdullah Ibrahim Trio
NJPAC’s Victoria Theater
Sunday, November 12 starting at 7:00 p.m.
Gladys Knight with Davell Crawford
NJPAC’s Prudential Hall
Wednesday, November 15 starting at 7:00 p.m.
Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues
Newark Museum of Art
Thursday, November 16 starting at 7:00 p.m.
Jazz Jams
Clement’s Place
Thursday, November 16 starting at 7:30 p.m.
The Sound of (Black) Music
NJPAC’s Victoria Theater
Friday, November 17 starting at 7:00 p.m.
NJMEA / All State Jazz Band and Choir with special guest Stefon Harris
NJPAC’s Chase Room
Friday, November 17 starting at 7:30 p.m.
When You Wish Upon a Star – A Jazz Tribute to 100 Years of Disney
NJPAC’s Victoria Theater
Friday, November 17 starting at 8:00 p.m.
Dave Grusin: A Life in Music featuring Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, Will Downing, Randy Brecker, and the New York Voices
NJPAC’s Prudential Hall
Saturday, November 18 starting at 6:00 p.m.
Cyrus Chestnut
Bethany Baptist Church
Sunday, November 19 starting at 11:00 a.m. + 1:00 p.m.
Dorthaan’s Place: The Steve Turre Generations Sextet
NJPAC’s NICO
Sunday, November 19 starting at 3:00 p.m.
12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition NJPAC’s Victoria Theater
Jazz in the Gardens will be back in full swing this Sunday, October 29th, at Jamaica Pegasus Gardens – 81 Knutsford Boulevard – in Kingston. Under the direction of MC Dahlia Harris, patrons will be treated to the musical proficiency of Gem Myers, Dwight Richards, Harold Davis, Tony Gregory, and Althea Hewitt.
This is a three-hour event that’s scheduled to commence at 6:00 pm (local time). General admission is $5,000 JMD, while VIP is $7,000. Ticket outlets are: Music Mart, Supermed Mall Pharmacy, and Jamaica Pegasus.
Escape to Barbados for the Jazz Excursion & Golf Weekend on October 12th through 15th at the newly renovated Sam Lord’s Castle – A Wyndham Grand Resort. The organizers are promising that this will be the Caribbean’s most sizzling getaway!
You will be treated to the incredible talents of Regina Belle, Peabo Bryson, Chris Spencer, celebrity DJ Flex Alexander, and an impressive lineup of artists and golf celebrities, including New York Knick’s John Starks. Visit their website for additional information, and to reserve your spot.
Following its New York staging, the 2023 Blue Note Jazz Festival will move to the west coast for three days of live music and laughs. It will be presented on July 28th, 29th and 30th at the Silverado Resort – 1600 Atlas Peak Road – in Napa, California, from 12noon to 11pm, which is when the after party begins.
The impressive lineup includes Robert Glasper, Dave Chappelle, Mary J. Blige, Nas, Chance The Rapper, Ari Lennox, Bilal, Lalah Hathaway, Rakim & DJ Jazzy Jeff, Talib Kweli & Madlib, Meshell Ndegeocello, Digable Planets, Rapsody, Bobby McFerrin, 9th Wonder, and many more. Get additional info here.
Mobay Funfest, the four-night music festival and wellness retreat that occurs at Secrets Wild Orchid in Montego Bay, is all set for June 22nd to the 26th. This is an inclusive unlimited affair that will host only 300 reserved guests.
The experience includes comedy by Tommy Davidson, and jazz under the stars with Mike Phillips, Ragan Whiteside, Demetrius Nabors, Dominique Hammons, and Collette Watson. Get more info here.
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 