PIANO: Robert Rodriguez, Dan Nimmer, Toru Dodo, Hector Martignon, Jack Glottman, Eric Lewis.
GUITAR: Nick Russo, Clay Ross, Nenad.
BASS: Vicente Archer, Paul Beaudry, Nico Delavaris, Sergio Brandao.
DRUMS: Ulysses 'Bim' Owens, Alvin Atkinson Jr., Ernesto Simpson, Reggie Quinerly, Obed Calvaire, Ernesto Simpson.
PERCUSSION: Samuel Torres, Zé Mauricio.
HORNS: Mike Rodriguez, Marcus Strickland, Victor Goines, Stacey Dillard, Walter Blanding Jr, Wycliffe Gordon.
**** WYCLIFFE GORDON ARTICLE: www.jazztimes.com/articles/16802-wycliffe-gordon-the-beautiful-soul-of
Influences
"The Universe, My Artistic Predecessors & Contemporaries!"
Sounds Like
Herself.
*BRAZILIAN FAN BLOG: http://www.sojazz.org.br/2007/08/jennifer-ledesna-enderra-temporada-em.html *** DOWN BEAT: http://www.downbeat.com/default.asp?sect=news&subsect=news_detail&nid=1369
Sweet, seductive songstress Jennifer Jade Ledesna, a quadrilingual NYC native, is an alumnus of The New School University Jazz Conservatory & of the "famed" LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts. A true vaudevillian at heart, Equity actress, & vocal jet setter, Ms. Jade often performs at the French cabaret "Aux Trois Mailletz" in the heart of Paris. She has sung at "Carnegie Hall" with Bobby McFerrin in the "Instant Opera! Young Artists Concert," in the World Premiere Tour of "Chapel/Chapter" with the electric Bill T. Jones / Arnie Zane Dance Company, and she is currently preparing for her "Jazz Immigrant Project" debut at the International "Silda Jazz Festival" in Norway.
Classically trained, Jennifer has studied with such masters as: Jim Carson, Anna Ext, Wynton Marsalis, Richard Harper, Buster Williams, and Wycliffe Gordon. She has studied drama at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute under Mauricio Bustamante & Jeff Ferguson, and modern dance at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. Jennifer has also toured nationally in Theatreworks USA's jazz musical "Corduroy." Some of her favorite roles include: "The Wiz" (Dorothy), "Company" (Marta), "Carousel" (Julie Jordan), "Lulu En La Habana" (Lulu), and "West Side Story" (Maria).
Jenn Jade has had the spectacular honor of being invited twice, consecutively, to the prestigious "Kennedy Center Millennium Stage" to debut her original compositions in the highly selective "Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Residencies of 2008 & 2009!" In Switzerland, she was a Finalist in the historical "Montreux Jazz Festival International Voice Competition 2007!" At the Kurt Elling Master Class, IAJE 2008 in Toronto, Canada she received an award for "Outstanding Musicianship." On television, Ms. Ledesna has appeared as a Semi-Finalist on CBS 2's "Nueva Estrella Awards" - a Latin idol voice competition, she was featured on: "Envoye Special" France 2 - a Broadway documentary, Bronx News 12 - an interview on her musical career, and also in The New York Times article " In The South Bronx, The Arts Beckon ."
As a bandleader, Jennifer can be found gigging all around NYC, from the illustrious Kaplan Penthouse of Lincoln Center to the mysterious caves of Paris, to your local juke joint! She has toured the Czech-Slovak Republic, Hungary, Austria, France, Switzerland, and Brazil, where she was an "Ambassador of Song" for the US-Brazilian Consulate. Ms. Jade has had the lovely opportunity to perform and/or record with Jazz, Brazilian, and Afro-Cuban artists such as: Eric Lewis, Victor Goines, Reggie Workman, Hector Martignon, Robert Glasper, Joatan Nascimento, Vicente Archer, Bobby Sanabria, Dave Valentin, John Benitez, Alvin Atkinson Jr., Benny Powell, Victor & Jorge Brasil, Wycliffe Gordon, Junior Mance, Carlos Henriquez, Victor Jones, Marcus Strickland, Nori Shiota, Benny Powell, Vincent Gardner, Candido Camero, Bobby McFerrin, and Wynton Marsalis, among others.
Ai yi,yi,yiiii! Jenn,why you gotta be so flyyyy?? I'm hoping our reunion is soon,girl! Cuz we both gotta bring music to the world...Togetha! Much Luv,{G}
NALIP-NY (The NY Chapter of The National Association of Latino Independent Producers) is having a Summer Soiree this Thursday, 6/25, after work at The Bubble Lounge located at 228 W. Broadway NYC 10013 ... Feel free to bring friends.
Jenn,you are sounding..and Looking..Good,mami! I'm so glad that somebody I know & respect is making those Parisians feel some Soul! Not my city...but if they are feelin' you,then I will re-evaluate my opinion. KNOCK IT OUT,baby! Show 'em how the BoogieDown does it! :-) Much Love,{G}
