Lavay Smith: The Songs and Sounds of Duke Ellington

Internationally recognized chanteuse Lavay Smith and her world-class band come to the Red Poppy to pay tribute to the great Duke Ellington. Performing popular favorites, as well as obscure gems, Lavay and her band evoke an authentic feeling of classic blues and jazz.

Featuring:
Lavay Smith – vocals
Jules Broussard – alto and tenor sax
Danny Armstrong – trombone, vocals
Chris Siebert – piano
Ron Belcher – bass

Lavay Smith is the vocalist and bandleader of the San Francisco-based Red Hot Skillet Lickers, one of the top swingin’ jazz and blues bands in the world. Growing up in Southern California and the Philippines, Lavay developed a singing style influenced by greats like Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Bessie Smith, and Little Esther Phillips. Her lush, bluesy vocals and enthralling stage personality recalls an era of jazz queens and sensuous pinups in the authentic style of the 1940s and 1950s. Smith and her seven-piece band maintain a busy schedule, performing original compositions, as well as a large repertoire of classic tunes throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan.

“A living testament to the jump-blues era, Lavay is an impassioned singer.” — JAZZIZ

Admission: $15-20. Doors at 7:00pm. Event at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.

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