September 18, 2009, 08:00 PM
Kerrytown Concert House

Joan Belgrave

Joan Belgrave celebrates the release of her new CD “Excitable.” A mix of jazz standards and Belgrave’s original love songs, “Excitable” features swing-master tenor saxophonist Charlie Gabriel and Joan’s spouse and Detroit legend Marcus Belgrave, drummer Gayelynn McKinney, bassist Jeff Halsey, and pianist Sullivan Fortner. “She knows how to touch your emotions with her voice. That’s a quality that goes back to her singing in church. She a soulful singer like Billie Holiday and Nina Simone.” (Charlie Gabriel)

Vocalist, producer, songwriter, Joan Belgrave, began her musical career like so many others, singing in the choir of the Baptist church. Her musical education continued while studying classical voice. Her versatility as a musical stylist allowed her to perform as a vocalist in various genres of music from Jazz, Blues, and Gospel to Soul. Joan arrived in Los Angeles from Michigan in the late 70’s performing primarily as a lead vocalist. A powerful voice and her own jazzy/blues style, her 2005 release CD “Variations” embodies all of this and more. Her new CD “Excitable”- (2009) brings together a young New Orleans virtuoso pianist with veteran players, mixing the old with the new. Joan is a touring Lead Vocalist with Marcus Belgrave’s Louis Armstrong, & Ray Charles Tribute Jazz Ensembles, as well as with 4th generation New Orleans Charlie Gabriel’s Traditional Jazz Ensemble.

Joan Belgrave, vocals
Marcus Belgrave, trumpet
Charlie Gabriel, tenor saxophone
Gayelynn McKinney, drums
Jeff Halsey, bass
Sullivan Fortner, piano

$50 assigned rows 1-2
$25 general admission
$10 student

Kerrytown Concert House is located at
415 North Fourth Avenue
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Phone 734-769-2999 – Fax 734-769-7791 – Email kch@kerrytown.com