lauracoylemusic

Johnny O'Neal

The well-known and well-loved piano great, Johnny O'Neal was in Atlanta all the way from Detroit. He wrapped up his weekend of performances at the Sunday jazz brunch. This was my first time meeting him and it was wonderful to discover such great music and an engaging force of personality all rolled up in the same person. Amazing.

Speaking of personality, local radio host H. Johnson was there as well. You better check him out if you don't already know his show, "Jazz Classics," which airs every Saturday night on 90.1 WABE.

above are Joie Taylor, Eric Fontaine and Bernard Linnette.
photos by Laura Coyle

jazz alert

appearing tonight and saturday at Churchill Grounds, Atlanta with Bernard Linnette is the great Johhny O'Neal with Kemba Cofield vocals (August 24th-25th, 2007 9pm, first set)

Audrey Shakir

This past week at the Waverly Renaissance Jazz Brunch we had the pleasure of listening to a very special guest vocalist and pianist, Audrey Shakir. She is a legend, known and loved by many musicians and Jazz lovers from New York to Atlanta. This is the first time I’ve heard her on piano and I think her sonorous playing is a view into why she is such a great singer. You can find her upcoming performance dates on her website.
This coming Sunday I’ll be taking a break, Louis Heriveaux is back and Kemba Cofield will be standing in on vocals. Enjoy!

John Robertson & Rosemary Rainey

Last sunday Atlanta pianist John Robertson, played the brunch. In addition to being a great pianist, he is a walking Encyclopedia Britannica of jazz tunes, A toZ. Hear him every Tue-Sat at Dante’s where he plays with his trio. Rosemary Rainey, his wife, sat in as well, she’s a superb vocalist and plays at Dante’s too. I always come away from an afternoon with them with a long list of tunes I want to learn: “You’ve Changed,” “By Myself,” “Street of Dreams,” even “It’s too Darn Hot,” perfect for an August in Atlanta.

For next week's brunch, Laura Coyle, Bernard Linnette and Craig Shaw will be joined on vocals and piano by Audrey Shakir, one of the best jazz vocalists anywhere.

Bernard Linnette

Bernard Linnette is a drummer and the bandleader of the brunch quartet, he’s played all over the world and in the bands of greats like Freddy Cole and Dakota Staton, and he’s a truly good soul. Bernard has mentored a lot of musicians and singers and I am fortunate to be a part of his group. And we’re lucky to have him in Atlanta. You can learn more and hear his music on the Bernard Linnette website.

Thanks for stopping by, Laura Coyle.