Adia Ledbetter
Vocal Jazz Musician
Adia Ledbetter is a North Carolina Central University student majoring in Jazz Studies with licensure. Adia is a member of the NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble and University Choir. Her performing experience includes opening for jazz luminaries Hubert Laws, Nnenna Freelon, Jimmy Heath, Grady Tate, Freddie Cole, Antonio Hart, and the Branford Marsalis Quartet. Adia currently studies voice under the tutelage of Lenora Zenzalai Helm. She has also had the opportunity to study with Sheila Jordan, Madeline Eastman, Dena DeRose, Martha Flowers, Harold Mabern, Kirt Elling, Dee Daniels, Nancy King and Jennifer Shelton. She was a 2006 Betty Carter Jazz Ahead participant. She was also the vocalist honored for her Outstanding Performance in the collegiate jazz vocal category of the 2006 Down Beat Student Awards. She is pursuing a successful career as a jazz vocal musician and educator.
The Music
Generations
Generations is a straight ahead jazz quartet spanning two generations, featuring a very spiritually moving vocal interpretation of originals and well known standards. The group features the beautiful and talented vocalist, Adia Ledbetter, daughter of stellar jazz bassist Freeman Ledbetter with Brother Yusuf sitting at the piano.
First Take
Be the first on your block to own a copy of this CD featuring the beautiful and talented vocalist, Adia Ledbetter, daughter of my favorite bass violinist. I call him Doc because of his many talents, biochemist, architect, and stellar jazz bassist; I am referring to my main man Freeman Ledbetter. I vividly recall the day we went to TGS studios in Chapel Hill to record. We were blessed to have the best musicians available. On drums we had one of the tastiest percussionist in the world formally from Betty Carters band, Will Terrell, a natural rhythm machine.
We had master trumpeter and flugelhornist Raymond Codrington. I (Bro Yusuf Salim) arranged and composed about 6 of the tunes and played this beautiful Baby Grand piano. A combination of all of the above-mentioned elements resulted in a session that I was personally well pleased with. This session was truly a labor of love. As a blessed connoisseur of this great American art form called Jazz, I suggest that you put on your kimonos and slippers, sit back, relax, and prepare for the Spiritual experience in store for you. Come along with me on this musical journey. You will not regret the trip; believe me.
Purchase CD's at http://cdbaby.com/cd/adia !
Coming Events
Friday, August 18, 2006
7:30-9:30pm
Starlight Concert at Page-Walker Arts & HIstory Center
Featured Vocalist for Generations
Saturday, September 16, 2006
11:00-11:40am
Centerfest
Feb. 24, 2007
Shaw University Pre-CIAA Party
3:00pm
March 24, 2007
Hayti Heritage Center
TBA
April 21, 2007
Orange County Jazz Festival
TBA
May 19, 2007
BIMBE Cultural Arts Festival
TBA
June 9, 2007
"A Jazz Experience"
7:00pm
Durham Arts Council Auditorium
Check back for upcoming performances!
