Take a seasoned veteran, give her one of the best producers, and the best musicians, release it on a brand new label and you have another W.C. Handy Award nomination. Duke Robillard is the guitarist/producer, Bruce Bears is on keyboards, and Scott Aruda, Gordon Beadle, Chuck Langford and Doug James are the horn section, add Kevin Belz on guitar, Jesse Williams on bass, and Mark Texeira on drums. Vocalists like this don't come along every day; she is in a class with the very best. Her singing can touch you deeply and make you want to snuggle up with your loved one and thank god you¹re alive. Here she pays tribute to the great Blues women. She sings Bessie Smith's "Back Water Blues", reprises Ruth Brown's "24 Hours a Day", and also does Nina Simone's "Willow Weep for me". Also included is Buddy Johnson's "I Don¹t Want Nobody, to Have My Love But You", William Bell's "Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday", Earl King's "Three Can Play The Game", and the Butler, Gamble & Huff penned "It¹s Been a Long Time".

On February 28th, The New York Blues and Jazz Society present Toni Lynn Washington at Birdland, where she will be appearing with her band. David Maxwell will be added as a special guest on keyboards for this performance. If you want to see this Handy Award Nominee for Soul/Blues Female Artist of The Year there is no better venue to see her at. Also nominated in this category were Mavis Staples, Etta James, Bettye Lavette and Barbara Lynn. Toni Lynn Washington's voice can be described as seductive and if you aren't a fan of this woman you will be one soon. Birdland is located at 315 West 44th St. Join us for evening you will remember.

Richard Ludmerer
Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com

(c)2005 Richard Ludmerer