MELBA’S KITCHEN is an all women big band that offers a tasty menu of music by Black women musical geniuses, training the spotlight on the tremendous trombonist, composer, and arranger MELBA LISTON, under-appreciated jazz icon MARY LOU WILLIAMS, and their friends. This unique band of women stirs it up in an atmosphere of kindness, joy, political action and fun.
The band has been taking their audiences on unforgettable musical journeys, including their auspicious debut at YOSHIs jazz house in Oakland, CA and subsequent appearances at San Francisco’s de Young Museum.
MELBA’S KITCHEN honors the under-recognized jazz great MELBA LISTON and her formidable contributions to jazz. Liston toured with and wrote for Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Gerald Wilson, and collaborated for decades with piano titan Randy Weston. A pioneer as a woman in jazz, Liston arranged for many, including her friend MARY LOU WILLIAMS, an activist for jazz, and a virtuosic and inspired pianist, composer, and arranger. MELBA’S KITCHEN intends to bring Liston’s and Williams’ names into your musical household.
Jazz professor Dee Spencer says: “MELBA’S KITCHEN serves your favorite dish, with a warm sense of groove that is deep, enjoyable and infectiously swinging.”
Come see what’s cookin’!
https://www.facebook.com/melbaskitchenjazz
photo: Tim Burgess