When Grammy nominated jazz singer Tierney Sutton and her band returns to Grand Rapids, you can be certain she won’t be phoning in her performance as some artists might be willing to do at this stage of their career.
In fact, after spending nearly a half hour catching up with Sutton over the phone, I was even more impressed with her as an artist for the challenges she has purposefully set out before herself.
While the concert at St. Cecilia Music Center will feature her band that many may recall from two years ago, this time around, Mitch Forman (Sutton just provided guest vocals on his last release, Sing Along With Mitch) will be replacing Christian Jacob on this tour stop.
“First up, Christian is still a part of the Tierney Sutton Band, just not at this stop,” Sutton is quick to point out, as her band has been with her for 20 years. “Welcoming Mitch to the band for this show changes all of us because of what he brings to the stage. This is an extra treat for all of us.”
Sutton notes that whenever you change elements of a band, like adding Forman to the lineup, you don't just get physical changes in your sound. These performers are not just rehashing your arrangements, but bringing with them what makes them unique as a musician.
A few notable highlights from Sutton’s conversation include her return to the studio to record a new album inspired by the 2000 recording of standards by Joni Mitchell as well as her heavy touring schedule with the Turtle Island Quartet, whose reputation for upending classical music is turning heads from patrons and critics alike. (It’s a good thing, and she is thoroughly enjoying these concerts as well.)
For the SCMC concert, you can expert her heavy influences from her latest release, American Road, a collection of time-tested, reinvented classics of the American Songbook.
If you love vocal jazz, you will be hard pressed to find another concert within our area that will come close to the power of seeing Tierney Sutton in one of the best venues for her vocal prowess. (Take a student of Jazz if you want, too. Tickets are discounted for them.)
Admission: $35 / $30 / $10 student
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