December 3, 2011, “Home for the Holidays,” with vocalist Charlotte Carruthers


Charlotte Carruthers

As the daughter of renowned jazz pianist Arnie Carruthers, Charlotte Carruthers has always lived in a world filled with music. Arnie made sure that his children were exposed to the greats of jazz at an early age. By the age of 7, Charlotte and her siblings were singing along with Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. In 1973, Arnie invited Charlotte to begin singing with his new band at the Lamplighter Inn (now Mirabeau Park). She went on to perform in many of Spokane’s clubs over the years, including house band stints at the Stockyards Inn North and the Spokane House, where her brothers Bill and Don were also in the band.

In 1989, Charlotte moved to New York City where she performed with the New York Choral Society at many New York venues, among them Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall. She worked on several recording projects, including one with Stephen Schwartz (“Godspell”,” Wicked”), and appeared at some Manhattan night spots. She moved back West in 1993, landing first in Eugene, Oregon where she joined the Eugene Concert Choir and Vocal Arts Ensemble, again did some recording work and worked with several local bands performing jazz and rock.

A move to Seattle in 1998 made it a bit easier to do appearances in Spokane. Arnie, Charlotte, Bill and Don appeared frequently at Hobart’s and Ella’s/Centerstage. Charlotte has sometimes teamed with Spokane pianist Greg Presley for performances they call “From Salon to Saloon”, blending classical repertoire with jazz standards. Charlotte has appeared with the Spokane Jazz Orchestra often as part of their regular season concerts, for special performances such as the July Fourth Celebration in Riverfront Park and First Night, many “We Came to Play” concerts in area schools and other special events. She recorded two tracks with the SJO on their “It’s About Time” CD released in 2004. She has also performed in Spokane clubs and for private events with the Mark Norton Trio and the Brent Edstrom Trio.

On top of a full-time day job, Charlotte is currently a member of Seattle’s Cantare Vocal Ensemble, a classical choir. She is the pianist and ‘chick singer’ with the Mach One Jazz Orchestra. Mach One plays for many Seattle dance clubs and private events, including both the 2009 and 2010 Bonza Bash New Year’s Eve galas. She is the regular vocalist for the John Holte Radio Rhythm Orchestra. Charlotte plays piano and sings with Jazz in the Corner, a jazz quartet which regularly plays many Seattle area clubs and private events.


March 10, 2012, “Jazz Underground,” featuring vocalist/bassist Kristin Korb

Kristin Korb

Kristin Korb is not just a singing bassist. She is a premier singer with a personal approach and a deep sense of swing. She transports you to other worlds with her ballads. Oh yeah, she plays a nasty bass, too. While studying privately with jazz bass icon Ray Brown, he arranged for her first recording with his trio, Introducing Kristin Korb, on Telarc Records. Her new release, In The Meantime, features her innovative arrangements of jazz standards with the help of jazz greats Bob Sheppard, Nick Mancini, Llew Matthews, Steve Barnes and Larry Koonse. When she’s not on the road with her trio (featuring Llew Matthews and Steve Barnes), she’s on the faculty at the University of Southern California and Azusa Pacific University.

 

May 12, 2012, “Downtown Divas,” featuring local jazz vocalists Nicole Lewis, Rachel Burns, Heather Villa, Rachel Bade McMurphy


Downtown Divas

For our season finale, the Spokane Jazz Orchestra presents four outstanding jazz vocalists who are living and performing in Spokane. The guest artists include Nicole Lewis (Nicole Lewis Band and the Rhythm Dogs), Heather Villa (Six Foot Swing), Rachel Burns (Masterclass Jazz Orchestra), Rachel Bade-McMurphy (Rachel Bade-McMurphy Quartet).