THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 1996 TAG: 9606210101
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUE VANHECKE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 61 lines
Luther Vandross
Since his leap 16 years ago from backup singer to honey-voiced, Versace-suited solo artist, romantic balladeer Luther Vandross has racked up an astonishing 10 consecutive platinum or double platinum albums, moving more than 20 million units.
The Grammy-winning pop-soul crooner's last album was last year's critically saluted holiday disc ``This Is Christmas,'' the follow-up to 1994's ``Songs,'' a 12-track set of remakes of Vandross favorites including his popular duet with Mariah Carey, ``Endless Love.''
And though covers have become a Vandross hallmark, festivalgoers can expect plenty of new sweet stuff; the singer recently completed work on another full-lengther, ``Your Secret Love,'' slated for September release.
Rachelle Ferrell
A favorite of Quincy Jones, who has said that ``Ferrell can sing her whats-a-ma-call-it off,'' vocal virtuoso Rachelle Ferrell has already built a stellar reputation on the strength of just two acclaimed albums - 1990's ``Rachelle Ferrell'' and last year's ``First Instrument'' - and her powerhouse live performances.
On stage - as at her four consecutive appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival - is where Ferrell best showcases her amazing six-and-a-half-octave range, mixing R&B vamps and gospel riffs with jazzy rhythmic shouts and scats and even imitations of musical instruments.
So impressed with Ferrell's versatility was Bruce Lundvall, president of famed jazz label Blue Note, that he signed her to a unique dual-label recording contract; Ferrell sings jazz for Blue Note and pop and R&B for Blue Note parent company Capitol.
Ahmad Jamal
``The Essence, Part I'' is yet another milestone for Ahmad Jamal. Not only does his latest disc mark the pianist's dazzling return to the Verve label, for which he recorded comeback album ``Live In Paris '92,'' it is also the first time in his 40-year career that Jamal has recorded with a saxophonist.
Jamal, who started on piano at age 3, played with violinist Joe Kennedy's band the Four Strings before recording under his own name and scoring a million-selling hit in 1958 with the live ``But Not For Me'' album. Jamal has invited Kennedy to join him on the second volume of ``The Essence.''
Known for his elegant swing, breezy phrasing and rhythmic adventurousness, Jamal was honored in 1993 by the National Endowment for the Arts with the coveted Jazz Master Fellowship, given annually to acknowledge living jazz legends. MEMO: What: The Hampton Jazz Festival
Who: Luther Vandross, Rachelle Ferrell, Ahmad Jamal
When: 2:30 p.m. today
Tickets: $33.50, plus service charge; order at 671-8100
Information: 838-4203 ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Luther Vandross by CNB