"It's rare to find an Italian singer (the outstanding Irene Jalenti) who's able to convey with such strength and intensity." [Angelo Leonardi, All About Jazz Italia]
"(She adds) an extraordinary, heartbreaking sheen to the instruments - an inspiring touch." [Bob Doerschuk, Downbeat Magazine]
"Jalenti is strong and individual and (colors with) some very striking vocals." [Donald Elfman, New York City Records]
A jazz homage to the music of the Beatles
Irene Jalenti, vocals
Alan Blackman piano
Jeff Reed bass
Eric Kennedy drums
The jazz vocalist Irene Jalenti has always admitted that much of her influence comes from the popular music of the 60s and the 70s. The Beatles were always played in her household when she was growing up, and many of the songs that she grew up learning were by the British band. ...
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"It's rare to find an Italian singer (the outstanding Irene Jalenti) who's able to convey with such strength and intensity." [Angelo Leonardi, All About Jazz Italia]
"(She adds) an extraordinary, heartbreaking sheen to the instruments - an inspiring touch." [Bob Doerschuk, Downbeat Magazine]
"Jalenti is strong and individual and (colors with) some very striking vocals." [Donald Elfman, New York City Records]
A jazz homage to the music of the Beatles
Irene Jalenti, vocals
Alan Blackman piano
Jeff Reed bass
Eric Kennedy drums
The jazz vocalist Irene Jalenti has always admitted that much of her influence comes from the popular music of the 60s and the 70s. The Beatles were always played in her household when she was growing up, and many of the songs that she grew up learning were by the British band.
Her love for the band was so strong that in 2005 she recorded an entire album with jazz arrangements of the music of the Beatles, the project was called "Back to the Beatles" and was an undiscussed success in Italy.
After 12 years the vocalist wants to propose a similar project and share with the audience this side of her artistry.
Tickets: $15 in advance/$18 at door/$10 full-time student with ID
Irene Jalenti's deep voice and unique sound are rooted in Italy. She has traveled and performed for over 15 years throughout Europe and the United States. Jalenti earned an Undergraduate degree in Jazz performance at Peabody Conservatory of Music and a Master degree in Jazz Studies at Howard University in Washington, DC. She sings with multi-award winning a cappella jazz ensemble Afro Blue.
Her eclectic personality effects the music making it unique, fresh, and never predictable. Her scat singing is infused of sounds from Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Betty Carter, and Carmen McRae, while her natural and unexpected deep tone is a reminiscence of Cassandra Wilson, Lizz Wright, and Nina Simone.
Alan Blackman is a Baltimore based pianist and award-winning composer. He and his various groups have performed at Blues Alley, the Kennedy Center, and many festivals and venues from San Francisco to New York. Recent performances have been with Donny McCaslin, Gilad Hekselman, Vardan Ovsepian, Ferenc Nemeth, Mike Pope, Tom Guarna, Joe Locke, Warren Wolf, Tim Green, Michael Formanek among others. He was awarded the eastern regional songwriting award by the Gospel Music Association and was selected to be part of the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program at the Kennedy Center. Additionally, he has received grants from Chamber Music America New Jazz Works, Maryland State Arts Council in jazz composition and performance for the years 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 and Baltimore Creative Fund grants for 2009 and 2010. Original arrangements and performances of his music have been featured on NBC’s Parenthood, NPR’s Talk of the Nation, and Netflix’s Luke Cage as well as Stephen King’s film, 1408.
Alan released his first CD of original music, Shadowdance, in January 2000 and is currently working on his first jazz composition book tentatively entitled, Changing Standards, which will be accompanied by an audio CD of his original arrangements. His next CD, Turning Point featuring Donny McCaslin was released in 2010 on Top Floor Records. A recording of his 2 Piano Improvised Series, Alone Together with various other pianists was released in 2011. The Coastal Suite was made into a CD with enhanced video content in 2015. His forthcoming 2017 release on Summit Records features guitarist Gilad Hekselman and is entitled Chapter 3.
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