Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Lionel Hampton, Barry Harris, Johnny O’Neal, Pharoah Sanders, Kenny Burrell, Eric Reed, Wessell Anderson, Tommy Turrentine, Junior Cook, Walter Booker, Jr., Vernel Fournier and John Hicks.
Audrey was born into a musical family in Cleveland, Ohio. Her mother was a great pianist, organist and vocal coach, and her father loved to sing, whose idol was Billy Eckstine.
She started just as a pianist. In fact, she can't remember not being able to play a piano. She became a professional musician in 1974 playing in a group that played Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, etc. Eventually, Audrey started leaning towards Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. While leaning instrumentally she began trying to sing it, too. Her major influences in jazz singing first were Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams and Jon Hendricks.
Audrey moved to New York in 1981 and later that fall was introduced to Barry Harris. While playing in the NYC scene, she became a regular at the Village Gate and performed regularly with Harris. She performed at Town Hall, the Apollo Theater and Tavern on the Green.
She left New York City in late May, 1989 and arrived in Atlanta in the early morning hours of June 1. Since then Audrey has been performing in the Atlanta area, including several Atlanta Jazz Festival performances. She was also nominated for the 1992 Coca-Cola Music Award for “Best Blues Artist” and has been featured in several articles about the Atlanta arts scene.
pssst ... we are working on a big surprise for a mutual friend. You know who I mean ( wink, winx )
thanks so much for adding yourself in as a FRIEND. as many comments as you would like to make are certainly welcome ! you can even add a photo or a video clip ! we like it when people are creative.
perhaps some of your friends want to get involved in this great surprise too !?! they can check it out. add themselves in as a FRIEND. then leave a comment.
OUR GOAL : 1,000 comments on the page by Friday ... this Friday ... December 14th !
thanks for listening.
The " Birthday Boy " will be given his surprise on Saturday !
Hi Audrey, I'm really looking forward to playing with you on your gig in August. You may not remember that we met at the opning of the Jazz at Lincoln Center complex in 2003 when you sang with Walter. Take care, and thanks for adding me!
Matthew
