Opening Night - Eva Cassidy Tribute at Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival at Peerless Rens Club

Opening Night of the Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival takes place in the maritime neighborhood of Eastport at its hippest location. For the fourth exciting year, the historic Black social club known as Peerless Rens will be our host. Concert goers will experience an uplifting, enlightening and artistically satisfying tribute to beloved songbird Eva Cassidy, who became known around the globe after her passing at age 33.

The concert features vocalist Alexis Tantau. Best known for her many recordings and appearances with internationally recognized Hot Club of Baltimore, Tantau's incredible voice, nuanced delivery and unique interpretations (sung in English, French and German), have echoed far beyond her Baltimore home. She'll share the spotlight with standout Baltimore vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Letitia VanSant whose tour dates in the U.S., UK and Europe have also won critical praise in many languages....

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Opening Night of the Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival takes place in the maritime neighborhood of Eastport at its hippest location. For the fourth exciting year, the historic Black social club known as Peerless Rens will be our host. Concert goers will experience an uplifting, enlightening and artistically satisfying tribute to beloved songbird Eva Cassidy, who became known around the globe after her passing at age 33.

The concert features vocalist Alexis Tantau. Best known for her many recordings and appearances with internationally recognized Hot Club of Baltimore, Tantau's incredible voice, nuanced delivery and unique interpretations (sung in English, French and German), have echoed far beyond her Baltimore home. She'll share the spotlight with standout Baltimore vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Letitia VanSant whose tour dates in the U.S., UK and Europe have also won critical praise in many languages.

Although their musical careers may be characterized by different genres, the two artists have admired each other for years. VanSant is an earthy, country influenced singer-songwriter and Tantau a nuanced jazz vocalist in the WWII-era French Manouche scene. Both grew up listening to Eva Cassidy, holding her as an ideal of song interpretation.

A strong incentive for them to join forces was to have the opportunity to sing backup harmonies for one another. They'll do just that when performing "Songbird," Christine McVie's enduring 1977 hit. McVie sang the tune as a solo with Fleetwood Mac; Cassidy's cover opened the door to the kind of dazzling vocal harmonies to be heard onstage at Peerless Rens. Of course, "Fields of Gold" (Sting, 1993), is a must for the setlist, along with "Tall Trees in Georgia (Buffy Sainte-Marie, 1968). The latter tune captures the Celtic and Appalachian feel that Eva Cassidy embodied, endearing her to millions of listeners.

Look forward to "American Tune" (Paul Simon, 1972). Based on a melody by J.S. Bach, with eloquent lyrics penned by Simon, the song is the title of Cassidy's third posthumous album. Tantau looks forward to exploring the many styles that Cassidy embraced in her short but memorable career, including her immensely important collaboration with Chuck Brown.

Music lovers will be delighted by the musicianship found in this concert. Along with Letitia VanSant, the band features national touring musicians Lucas Chohany on guitar and Alex Lacquement on upright bass. Known for adeptly crossing styles and genre, these remarkable players perform often with VanSant and drummer E.J. Shaull-Thompson in the immensely popular classic country/honky-tonk group Rusty Sal

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