Soul of Summer a multicultural affair
The spirit of spring is followed by the Soul of Summer, which this year will take on an international flair. The third edition of South African singer-songwriter-guitarist Jonathan Butler’s summer concert trek will feature multi-talented Latina Sheila E. and Barbadian saxophonist Elan Trotman. Backed by a 3-piece band and Butler’s daughter Jodie Butler
on background vocals, the set list will showcase the artists’ hits
along with a few cover tunes. The Soul of Summer 2013 will debut at the
San Diego Jazz Festival on May 25th with dates booked across the U.S. into August.
“I’m
excited to get on the road with Soul of Summer 2013. This year, we have
the Latin flavor of Sheila E., the Caribbean flavor of Elan Trotman,
and with my South African roots, it creates a great world music
experience. Music can be a unifying force and unity is the spirit of
Soul of Summer,” said Butler after the outfit’s first rehearsal at which
they created the 14-song set list.
Butler’s
Soul of Summer excursions are collaborative by nature. Each artist will
have time during the show to perform individually, but the magic comes
from the pairings when Butler, E. and Trotman will share the stage in
various combinations to play their chart-toppers, fan favorites and
Grammy-nominated singles, including Butler’s “Sara Sara” and “Lies” and
E.’s “Glamorous Life.”
A
two-time Grammy nominee, Butler became a child star while growing up
under Apartheid and was the first black artist to be played on radio
stations in South Africa. His 17-deep album catalogue is a study in
diversity as Butler refuses to limit the scope of his musical vision
that spans contemporary jazz instrumentals, soulful R&B,
sophisticated pop and stirring gospel. Blessed with an impassioned voice
that cries for justice, romantic pleas for love, and worshipful praise,
Butler is dually noted for his nifty guitar-play on both nylon string
and electric. Whether in a full band setting or stripped down to his
roots as a spellbinding singer-songwriter, Butler pours his heart and
soul into his live shows that uplift, enlighten and inspire. His latest
recording, the gospel offering “Grace and Mercy,” was released last fall and continues to spread the word at radio. Butler will release a Christmas album this fall.
The daughter of Latin jazz patriarch Pete Escovedo, E. is a dynamic drummer, percussionist and vocalist who had her commercial breakthrough as a protégé of Prince
with whom she still occasionally collaborates. Proudly braiding
elements of her Hispanic heritage to funk, jazz, soul, fusion and
gospel, she captivates with her high-energy performances and
rhythmically-astute beats that have enabled her to play with some of the
biggest names in popular music while collecting her own #1 Billboard
hits and multiple Grammy and American Music Awards nominations along
with an MTV Best Video Award win. The stunning beauty, a multimedia star
that has graced the silver screen and small screen, released a concert
DVD, “Sheila E. Summer Tour 2012 - LIVE in Lugano, Switzerland” last December.
Trotman
is a feted newcomer winning fans and plaudits for the good-natured
spirit of the Caribbean that he brings to R&B and contemporary jazz
grooves. The saxman who attended the Berklee College of Music on a
scholarship from the government of Barbados released his sixth album, “Tropicality,” earlier this year, which he wrote and produced with guitar star Peter White.
The disc containing performances by an array of accomplished musicians
is a celebration of island life that also chronicles Trotman’s journey
from Barbados to Boston.
The Soul of Summer 2013 band is comprised of bassist and musical director Dan Lutz, drummer Jay Williams, and keyboardist Dennis Hamm.
The 2013 itinerary for Soul of Summer featuring Butler, E. and Trotman is:
May 25 Carlsbad, CA San Diego Jazz Festival
July 10 Detroit, MI Chene Park
July 17 New York, NY Spirit Cruise Ship
July 20 Norfolk, VA Norfolk Jazz Festival
July 27 Temecula, CA Thornton Winery
August 2 Austin, TX One World Theatre
August 3 Houston, TX Houston International Jazz Festival
August 10 Kettering, OH Festival of the Vine
August 11 Richmond, VA Richmond Jazz Festival
Additional dates will be added, which will be posted at www.jonathanbutler.com.
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