Friday, July 11th: The Music Of Chaka Khan Meets Jazz at The Velvet Note

SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM.

Join us for a blend of Chaka Khan’s greatest hits and jazz covers with Jazz standards!

Chaka Khan grew up on Chicago’s South Side in a musical family. From a young age, she was exposed to jazz legends like Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, and Dinah Washington—artists her parents listened to regularly. This early exposure shaped her musical sensibility, especially her sense of phrasing, vocal improvisation, and harmonic complexity.

Although Chaka Khan is best known for her work in funk, soul, and R&B—especially with Rufus and hits like “Tell Me Something Good”—her vocal style is deeply jazz-influenced. Her phrasing, scatting ability, and tonal control often reflect jazz traditions, even in mainstream hits....

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SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM.

Join us for a blend of Chaka Khan’s greatest hits and jazz covers with Jazz standards!

Chaka Khan grew up on Chicago’s South Side in a musical family. From a young age, she was exposed to jazz legends like Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, and Dinah Washington—artists her parents listened to regularly. This early exposure shaped her musical sensibility, especially her sense of phrasing, vocal improvisation, and harmonic complexity.

Although Chaka Khan is best known for her work in funk, soul, and R&B—especially with Rufus and hits like “Tell Me Something Good”—her vocal style is deeply jazz-influenced. Her phrasing, scatting ability, and tonal control often reflect jazz traditions, even in mainstream hits.

Personnel:

-Edwin Williams, bass

-Walter B, piano

-Kenito Murray, drums

-Dennis Springer, tenor sax

-Tamika Howard, MD, flute and tenor sax

-Talein, lead vocals

-Travis “Songbird” Dillard, back up vocals

Happens on the following Dates:
Jul 11, 2025, 7:30pm to 9:00pm Timezone: EDT
Jul 11, 2025, 9:30pm to 11:00pm Timezone: EDT

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