Mother & Daughter Jazz Singers Melba Joyce and Carmen Bradford Perform in NY for 1st Time Together

Dec. 6, 2011 - PRLog -- “You won’t want to miss these two extraordinary singers as they celebrate the season with jazzy tunes and holiday favorites,” said Gregory Shanck, managing director of Aaron Davis Hall.  “Carmen Bradford was the featured vocalist with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra for nine years, and has since performed with many jazz greats.  Melba Joyce’s long and impressive career has spanned five decades in the company of – and sharing top billing with – such giants of the music world as Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughn and so many others.”
Melba Joyce’s long and impressive career has spanned three decades.  She has performed and shared top billing with such giants of the music world as Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughn, Louis Jordan, Lionel Hampton, Tony Bennett, Joe Williams, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and many others.
She tirelessly toured the war-torn fields of Vietnam to entertain the troops at the height of that conflict, an experience that raised her social conscience to new heights.  When Melba returned, she was appointed panelist for the Congressional Black Caucus of Women in Jazz Forum.  She produced the first Women in Jazz Festival at Harlem’s Schomburg Center for Black Culture; and became a principal in the Day of the Child Series for UNICEF. With funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, Ms. Joyce produced Jazz for Special People, a musical education series for the handicapped.
Carmen Bradford grew up with music in her home and in her heart. It was only natural that she would follow in the footsteps of her great family legacy being the daughter of legendary trumpeter/composer Bobby Bradford and world renowned vocalist/composer Melba Joyce. Her grandfather, Melvin Moore sang with Lucky Millender’s Big Band in the 1940’s making Carmen the third generation of incredible musicians.
Carmen was discovered and hired Mr. Count Basie and was the featured vocalist in the legendary Count Basie Orchestra for nine years. She has since performed with: John Clayton along with the Clayton Hamilton Orchestra, Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett, James Brown, Patti Austin, Byron Stripling, Dori Caymmi, George Benson, Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, DIVA Jazz Orchestra, the National Symphony, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and countless artists around the world. Her soulful voice warmed the hearts of Americans through the celebrated performance of the classic duet, “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” on the Johnny Carson Show that same year.
Carmen  began another chapter in her illustrious career as a solo artist with her critically  acclaimed debut album Finally Yours (1992). The release of her second solo album, With Respect (1995), established the Atlanta-based singer as one of jazz music’s most diverse and exciting vocal stylists, proving to the world that Carmen Bradford is a unique voice in jazz in her own right.
Her 2004 release, Home With You, is a warm and beautiful collection of piano/vocal duets with talented artist Shelly Berg. The album is yet another departure for Carmen, offering her fans a stripped down, intimate portrait of the artist they have grown to love. Carmen Bradford returned to her big band roots with her new release, “Sherrie Maricle & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra” featured on Live From Jazz At Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club.

For more information about “My Mother and Me” including show times and ticket information, please call (212) 650-6900 or visit www.adhatccny.org.  Aaron Davis Hall is located on West 135th Street and Convent Avenue on the campus of The City College of New York.

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Aaron Davis Hall is the Performing Arts Center located on the campus of The City College of New York in Harlem. We have a 30+ year hears prosenting performing and visual arts to this community and beyound. We are located on the corner of West 135th Street and Carmen Ave.