Festival Hall in Greensboro will present its final show in the 2024 Jazz Legacy Project series Oct. 10, with “Ella Fitzgerald, From Apollo Girl to Memorex Lady.”
A random drawing to perform at the Apollo Theater launched Fitzgerald’s career, in which she eventually became the most successful female jazz singer ever. Her beautiful ballads and energetic scat singing set the standard for jazz vocalists. Guest vocalist Maria Howell will perform as Fitzgerald. “Ella was the queen of jazz vocalists,” show director Nicole Chillemi said. “We can’t wait to celebrate her and host the amazing vocalist, Maria Howell.”
Howell has shared the musical stage with such legendary artists as Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Ray Charles, Earl Klugh, and Ronnie Laws.
Following a successful six-year stint in Asia, Howell returned to the U.S. and performed at Sambuca Jazz Café in Atlanta for nine consecutive years. She and pianist Bill Wilson (son of legendary jazz pianist, Teddy Wilson) held the distinction of being the longest-running act at Sambuca.
Howell also hosts her own live music series (originated in Hollywood), called #DUETS, featuring artists performing “songs to soothe your soul.” For the past 11 years, she also has collaborated and recorded with talented pianist/arranger/singer Noel Freidline and his band, NFQ.
The Jazz Legacy Project: “Ella Fitzgerald, From Apollo Girl to Memorex Lady” is the final program in a four-part jazz series at Festival Hall this year.
Each program lasts approximately 90 minutes, with a goal to bring the casual jazz listener inside the minds and music of the most influential and interesting American musicians of all time. The life and music of each featured artist/composer is entertainingly narrated by drummer Justin Varnes, and seminal jazz pieces are played to illuminate the narration. These are not tribute concerts in the sense that the musicians try to recreate the original performances, but instead are intended to celebrate the unique essence and accomplishments of each featured artist.
The Jazz Legacy Project: “Ella Fitzgerald, From Apollo Girl to Memorex Lady” is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 10, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25 for general admission and are available online at festivalhallga.com. This program is supported in part by Visit Lake Oconee (visitlakeoconee.com).
Sponsorship opportunities remain available for 2025 The Jazz Legacy Project Series. Reach out to Nicole Chillemi at nicole@festivalhallga.com or call 762-243-8022 for information.