CCNY Hosts Jazz Divas Melba Joyce & Carmen Bradford Dec. 16

Mother and Daughter duo to make NY debut at Aaron Davis Hall 

“My Mother and Me,” starring mother and daughter jazz stars Melba Joyce and Carmen Bradford, will perform together for the first time in New York 7 p.m. Friday, December 16, in Aaron Davis Hall at The City College of New York.

“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 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.”

A world-renowned vocalist/composer, Ms. Joyce has performed and shared top billing with many giants of the music world. These include Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughn, Louis Jordan, Lionel Hampton, Tony Bennett, Joe Williams, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson.

She 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 she returned, Ms. Joyce was appointed panelist for the Congressional Black Caucus’ Women in Jazz Forum.  She produced the first Women in Jazz Festival at Harlem’s Schomburg Center for Research in 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.

Ms. 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 the accomplished Ms. Joyce. Her grandfather, Melvin Moore sang with Lucky Millender’s Big Band in the 1940’s making Ms. Bradford the third generation of incredible musicians.
She was discovered and hired by Count Basie and was the featured vocalist in the legendary Count Basie Orchestra for nine years. Ms. Bradford has since performed with: John Clayton and   the Clayton Hamilton Orchestra; Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett, James Brown, Patti Austin,  George Benson, Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra, the National Symphony and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

Ms. Bradford 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 Ms. Bradford, offering her fans a stripped down, intimate portrait of the artist they have grown to love. She 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 Coca-Cola.
 
Additional information about “My Mother and Me,” including show times and ticket information, are available from Aaron Davis Hall or by calling (212) 650-6900. Aaron Davis Hall is located on West 135th Street and Convent Avenue on The City College campus.