Two Baritones of Soul

Two Baritones of Soul: A special concert Sunday, June 18, 4:00pm

Remember some of the great vocalists and the music they made? On June 18, Gualala Arts and Fred Adler present “Two Baritones of Soul: Jamie Davis and Lloyd Meadows”. This unique and intimate concert is set for Coleman Hall on Sunday, June 18 at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $29 in advance, $5 more the day of and are available at Gualala Arts, Dolphin Gallery and EventBrite.com.

The two baritones will be supported by some of the finest first-call northern California instrumentalists: The rhythm section includes Richard Howell, tenor sax; Tammy Hall, piano; Leon Joyce (‘the people’s choice’), drums; and the elegant French bassist Pierre Archain. The evening will be fresh, yet familiar, as Davis and Meadows perform the songs associated with Lou Rawls (“Love Is A Hurtin’ Thing”, “Dead End Street”,) Billy Eckstine, (“Prisoner of Love”,) Joe Williams, (“Goin’ To Chicago” and “Everyday I Have The Blues”,) plus Stevie Wonder and others.

Festival Music Coordinator Fred Adler’s choice of musicians is first rate. According to Adler, “Jamie Davis is unquestionably one of the foremost, classic male vocalists of the decades, and this is no exaggeration! With a tonality and style, uncannily reminiscent of the late Lou Rawls and Count Basie’s historic lead singer, Joe Williams, his voice is a present-day gift to the globe. Lloyd Meadows, lead singer and mouth harpist of the famous Zydeco Flames, is another versatile and soulful baritone voice that has been touched by the magic of the hall of fame pinnacle jazz and soul vocalists. Meadows’ Stevie Wonder numbers will feature his mouth harp expertise. Davis and Meadows will be joining forces in tribute to the past masters, at my request!”

It’s been said about tenor man Richard Howell, “He’s got so much soul . . . . People sometimes perceive jazz as being clinical. You look down and your foot isn’t moving. That isn’t going to happen when you hear Richard. You’re going to feel him.”S.F. Chronicle media critic Andrew Gilbert has high praise for pianist Tammy Hall. ”What stands out most is her compelling lyricism. With an uncluttered, telegraphic style marked by her classical training and deep roots in the Baptist church, Hall gracefully combines elegance and grit.”

Leon Joyce is a first-call drummer for many top artists. He has worked with Ramsey Lewis, Nancy Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Ellis Marsalis, Larry Coryell and others.

Bassist Pierre Archain, born and raised in southern France, lays down a powerful groove on his instrument. After having spent a few decades in the Bay Area, he currently resides in Mendocino County. He has been touched by the music of jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, and bassist Jaco Pastorious.

Adler adds, “My inspired concept, and dream concert? Absolutely, and not to be missed. I will be there to M.C. with wings on! If you have any feeling at all for the great masters of soul, do not miss this gem.”