Blue Note 80th Anniversary at State Theatre New Jersey

Celebrate Blue Notes 80th Anniversary with an intimate concert event featuring Kandace Springs (vocalist, keyboards), James Francies (piano), and James Carter (saxophone)! Only Blue Note Records, with their unique brand of cool, could assemble such a dynamic evening of talent and music. This event is underwritten by the Gia Maione Prima Foundation, Inc.This spectacular celebration of the label and jazz music today will feature a performance by each of the artists with their own bands performing a collection of their original material. At the end of the show all three artists will perform together selections from the historic Blue Note catalogue.Kandace Springs is a Nashville based singer, songwriter, and pianist that counts such stylists as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, and Norah Jones as her heroes, but as evidenced by her sparkling Blue Note Records debut, Soul Eyes, mimics none of them. Five years ago Springs attracted the attention of Prince, who had heard her makeover of Sam Smith's Stay With Me. The music icon then invited her to perform with him at Paisly Park for the 30th anniversary of Purple Rain. She has since appeared on Ghostface Killah's 36 Seasons, Aqualung's 10 Future, and Black Violin's Stereotypes.Pianist James Francies is a force on the ground in New York...hes a pianist with liquid dynamism in his touch" says the New York Times. He has recorded and or performed with Christian McBride, Pat Metheny, Chris Potter, Robert Glasper, and Lauryn Hill. He also performed on Chance The Rappers hit single No Problem which went on to win two Grammy Awards.Saxophonist James Carter has recorded 18 albums under his own name while appearing on many more with artists including The Art Ensemble of Chicago, Ginger Baker (Cream), Kathleen Battle, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Madeleine Peyroux, and Marcus Miller.