On January 5, Sherry Alves and George Colligan appear at The 1905 to share their interpretation of jazz compositions from women of the past century. Sit back and relax while you enjoy Alves’ clear voice, disarming story-telling, and historically-grounded musical interpretation. Allow your soul to take flight with Colligan’s soaring improvisations, tenacious groove, and mastery on the keys. Expand your knowledge as Alves shares a brief history of each composition, including works by Lil Hardin, Melba Liston, Mary Lou Williams, Rene Rosnes and more.

Photo by Kathryn Elsesser

Sherry Alves has been singing and teaching in the Willamette Valley for almost ten years. With an expertise in singing American popular music from ragtime and swing to contemporary pop and country, her talents are in demand throughout the Western United States. She is on the faculty at Portland State University, where she puts her experience and her master’s in contemporary music to use as a private instructor, lecturer, and ensemble director. Each summer she is the vocal instructor for the Mel Brown Summer Jazz Workshop. Alves is also the vocal director for the American Metropole Orchestra, where she has written for and performed with the likes of New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint, jazz singer Liz Wright, Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Lynn Anderson, Sonny Turner of the Platters, Emmy-winning songsmith Dave Frishberg, Grammy-winning saxophonist Joe Lovano, and Drift Away author Mentor Williams.

George Colligan is one of the most original and compelling jazz artists of his generation. An award-winning composer (Chamber Music America/Doris Duke Foundation grant recipient) and player (winner, Jazzconnect.com Jazz Competition), Colligan is highly in demand as a sideman, having worked with players like Cassandra Wilson, Don Byron, Buster Williams, and Lonnie Plaxico, both on the bandstand and in recording sessions (appearing on over one hundred CDs). He has released over two dozen recordings as a leader. Colligan was on the faculty of the Juilliard School for two years and is currently an assistant professor at Portland State University.

Tickets are $10 at the door. Reservations recommended for first set especially.

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