Carmen Bradford to Join Capitol Jazz Orchestra for Ella Fitzgerald Tribute, 3/9

With performances on 4 Grammy Award-winning albums, sold out concerts the world over, and sixteen recordings, Carmen Bradford is considered to be one of the greatest jazz vocalists alive today. On Sunday, March 9, this celebrated vocalist joins the Capital Jazz Orchestra as they pay tribute to "The First Lady of Song", Ms. Ella Fitzgerald. For over sixty years, Ella set the standard for vocalists of all genres and has been influential to singers from Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra, and Mel Torme' to Michael Buble', Natalie Cole, and Harry Connick, Jr. Don't miss this incredible evening as the legacy of Ella Fitzgerald is honored by one of today's greatest jazz singers.

In the early eighties, Carmen was heard by the great Count Basie and hired as the vocalist with his world renowned orchestra. After performing on two Grammy award winning albums for Basie, guitarist George Bensen heard Carmen and asked if she would perform a duet on his 1991 recording titled Big Boss Band. The song was How Do You Keep The Music Playing?, another Grammy award winner!

After nine years of touring as a feature with the Basie Band, Carmen embarked on her solo career with resounding success. Finally Yours (Evidence Records), her critically acclaimed first album, began another chapter in her illustrious career in 1992. Her 1995 album, With Respect (Evidence Records), established the Los Angeles based singer as one of the decade's most exciting vocal stylists.

Making more history, Carmen teamed with singer Kenny Rankin for Benny Carter's Songbook Project. "What An Honor!" she screamed as she looked around the room at the many faces of music history, Joe Williams, Ruth Brown, Bobby Short, Peggy Lee, Shirley Horn, Jon Hendricks, Dianna Krall, Dianne Reeves and many more. Carmen was chosen to sing in the great Key Largo for the Grammy award winning album, The Benny Carter Song Book.

Carmen was also included in a two hour world premier BIOGRAPHY Special on the A & E Network, titled FOREVER ELLA. This documentary about Ella Fitzgerald is narrated by Nancy Wilson and consists of interviews with Benny Carter, Billy Taylor, Quincy Jones, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Al Jarreau and many others.

The Capital Jazz Orchestra is a distinguished group of big band veterans comprised of alumni from such well known orchestras as Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw, as well as the more recent Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band and the band of Toshiko Akiyoshi. They have collectively shared the stage with such stars as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Jack Jones and Joe Williams to name only a few. This hand picked ensemble, comprised of some of the best big band jazz musicians across the United States, has enjoyed capacity houses on a recent national tour and has been met with critical acclaim for its exciting performances.

Tickets are $45 for Gold Circle, $35 for Orchestra/Mezzanine ($20 for students), and $20 for balcony. Tickets are available by calling 603-225-1111, online at www.ccanh.com, and at the box office, located at 44 South Main Street, Concord, NH on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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