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Nicole Henry with the John Toomey Trio in Norfolk

By Mark Robbins
October 14, 2017
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The Attucks Jazz Series kicked off the 2017-2018 season with bombastic vocalist

Nicole Henry

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Nicole Henry backed by

John Toomey

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">John Toomey on piano,

Jimmy Masters

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Masters on bass and

Chuck Redd

vibraphone

" data-original-title="" title="">Chuck Redd on drums. Ms. Henry, winner of the Soul Train's "Best Traditional Jazz Performance," presented a varied repertoire including songs by

Joni Mitchell

vocals
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Joni Mitchell,

Aretha Franklin

vocals
1942 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Aretha Franklin, Bill Withers and many jazz standards sung in her own powerful style. She just doesn't have pipes, she has PIPES! Defying the label of "jazz singer,"

" data-original-title="" title="">Nicole Henry is equally at home with blues, gospel, and soul, delivering each with the passion and feeling of a master storyteller. Songs as varied as Lerner and Loewe's "On the Street Where You Live" to Jobim's "The Waters of March" filled an evening of original, obscure, and well known numbers which took the audience on a surprise musical journey. They didn't know where the journey would lead but they sat back and enjoyed the ride.

Norfolk, Virginia (and neighboring Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and more) is not only lucky to have this fine jazz series but enough cannot be said about John Toomey, Jimmy Masters and a variety of drummers as it's resident trio. Backing such musicians as

John Allred

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">John Allred,

Vic Juris

guitar
1953 - 2019

" data-original-title="" title="">Vic Juris,

Kenny Washington

drums
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Washington,

Randy Brecker

trumpet
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Brecker,

Denise Donatelli

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Denise Donatelli,

John Abercrombie

guitar
1944 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">John Abercrombie and so many more. These are consummate musicians with extensive pedigrees that can play anywhere, anytime. With a number of albums under their belts this group is at the top of their game and will be for years to come. View Slideshow

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