THE VOICES BEHIND THE MUSIC

I was fortunate to grow up in a culturally rich household where these master artists were played every day. The weekends were particularly great. My father would play the whole history of black music, instrumentalists as well as vocalists.

On Sunday mornings we would listen to Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. I learned early on, from listening to these records, that Jazz, Gospel, Blues, and Rhythm & Blues were all connected. As I was soaking up all this great music, my father would tell me that in order to be a great jazz musician, you have to know where this music came from. His words inspired me to become a jazz drummer and historian.

Through Sepia Voices, you'll be introduced to some of the icons like Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Nat "King" Cole, Dinah Washington & Billy Eckstine, plus a few of the forgotten, but equally great vocalists like Donna Hightower, Damita Jo, Jimmy Ricks, Jean DuShon, Bon Bon, Austin Cromer, and others.

Below are some rare videos and performances of some of the artists featured in Sepia Voices. I hope you enjoy them!