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Kosher Jammers

“Summertime” and “Our Love Is Here to Stay” have been in my performance repertoire for ages. And I can still hear the version of “Porgy” by Billie Holiday that was in my aunt’s vinyl collection when I was growing up. They were all written by Gershwin.

Kosher Jammers, the book by Mike Gerber, takes an in-depth look at Jewish contributions to jazz.

With my release of Seeking Billie: The Unusual Tribute to Billie Holiday, this passage from a summary of the book hits close to home:

Jewish clarinetist Artie Shaw, [Benny] Goodman’s contemporary, went even further by integrating black musicians into his big band, with vocalist Billie Holiday out front…

Nonetheless, I contend that it’s no coincidence that Shaw and Goodman did what they did. Or that Abel Meeropol wrote Billie Holiday’s most famous song, the anti-lynching classic ‘Strange Fruit’, or that the first recording of it was for Milt Gabler’s Commodore, America’s first specialist jazz label, or that Holiday introduced it at Café Society, an integrationist New York jazz club founded by Barney Josephson. Like Shaw and Goodman, Meeropol, Gabler and Josephson were Jewish.

Purchase Kosher Jammers at online retailers and visit www.mikegerberjournalist.co.uk to learn more.

 

JUN 6 ᐧ Talking Jazz with changamiré

Tune into Talking Jazz with Monika Herzig on WICR 88.7 FM HD-1 in Indianapolis, IN for the interview with changamiré on Friday, June 6th at 8 PM ET.

In a 1-hr conversation, award-winning intercontinental jazz pianist, composer, author and university professor, Monika Herzig, chooses and discusses 6 tracks from changamiré’s new album, Seeking Billie: The Unusual Tribute to Billie Holiday.

Join us!

Words From Jacques Burvick

Award winning songwriter and producer, Jacques Burvick, had this to say about Seeking Billie: The Unusual Tribute to Billie Holiday, the new album by changamiré:

——

An unsung voice finally takes center stage among the vocal heroines dominating the jazz scene —and Changamiré arrives in style.

In Seeking Billie: The Unusual Tribute to Billie Holiday, Changamiré captivates Lady Day’s essence with simplicity, sophistication, and an enormous helping of courage. This isn’t a door that opens easily with talent alone. She’s clearly sought out Billie’s frequency—and locked onto it. You can hear Billie’s soul woven throughout this collection of song-stories. At times, even her vibrato is reminiscent of the master songstress. But make no mistake—this isn’t mimicry. It’s a bold reimagining.

This album is more than a tribute—it’s a courageous conversation with the past. Changamiré is completely at ease channeling Billie, unfazed by where the journey may land her.

The blend of Changamiré’s innovation and Billie’s texture is a pleasant surprise—and flat-out unexpected. This recording feels like the cats are having a blast, traveling through the exotic soundscapes and time periods that Changamiré navigates so effortlessly. The journey touches on multiple musical genres, serving up ear candy even for the most avid straight-ahead fan searching for solid swing.

Adding to the brilliance are legendary jewels, including the incomparable Ron Carter, whose elegant bass lines anchor this project in the sacred soil of jazz legacy. And where better to summon spirits than Van Gelder Studio, the iconic haven founded by legendary engineer Rudy Van Gelder? The sound that shaped the golden era of jazz still lives in those walls—and now, it cradles something new.

You can feel the band’s joy. Changamiré and her crew of relentless heat-seekers glide through harmonies and grooves, unafraid to blur borders between eras and styles. Whether intended or not, she has inadvertently created a true masterwork.

And we haven’t even begun to discuss the album cover—reminiscent of a time when covers were museum-worthy works of art, pieces that lived on and increased in value over decades. This is one of them.

This is not nostalgia. It’s reverence reborn.

This is Billie—heard through a new lens, in the hands of a woman brave enough to meet her gaze.

In Seeking Billie, Changamiré has uncovered a rare diamond.

APR 26 ᐧ Himalayan Soul & Changamiré

Join Himalayan Soul on the Clubhouse app for a tête-à-tête with Changamiré on Saturday, 26th April at 10 AM PST.

Raised on the music of Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn and Dinah Washington, Changamiré is a jazz vocalist and recording artist from Washington, DC. Glenn Turner, pianist for the late Gil Scott Heron, was her first vocal coach.

After 10 years in the making, her new album Seeking Billie: The Unusual Tribute to Billie Holiday is on all streaming platforms. It was released on April 7th, Billie Holiday’s birthday.

We will deep dive into her journey….. join us.

The Billie Album Is Here!

After 10 years in the making, changamiré’s new album is here! Available on streaming platforms, Seeking Billie: The Unusual Tribute to Billie Holiday released today on Billie’s 110th birthday, April 7, 2025!

The 13-track, genre-crossing jazz project features appearances by the legendary Rudy Van Gelder Studio, iconic bassist Ron Carter and 8x Grammy winning songwriter/producer Malik Yusef (Rihanna, The Weekend, Beyonce).

For nostalgic music lovers and professional audiophiles, pre-order the beautiful vinyl LP. It ships in mid-June. Shop the entire Seeking Billie collection.

APR 6 ᐧ Listening Party!

Please join me this Sunday, April 6 on the virtual show, The New Jazz Listener, on the Clubhouse app. Stop by any time between 4:00-5:30 PM ET to hear music and stories from my new Billie Holiday album before it releases on Monday!

And the beauty of the audio-only Clubhouse is that you can tune in from wherever you are and while you’re doing whatever you’re doing….lounging in bed or grocery shopping.

See you there!

 

JAN 31 ᐧ New Jazz Listener in DC

Meet up with changamiré, Marvin Anani and DC-area members and friends of The New Jazz Listener for a smooth, exciting performance by:

SAMUEL PRATHER — THE NEXT GENERATION

. . . .

Friday, January 31
6:00 PM

Jazz Night at Westminster
400 I Street SW 20024

Admission $10

Arrive early for the best parking and seating.

. . . .

The mission of The New Jazz Listener is to introduce jazz to new people, in hopes of converting them into jazz fans. Our vision is that those new fans will help fill jazz audiences in their corner of the world, thereby supporting local musicians and jazz presenters.

Join us near the vivacious SW waterfront for NJL Local:DC!

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