Vicki Burns

Vicki Burns is a jazz singer who has been delighting audiences for years. A vocalist with impeccable taste, a sure sense of rhythm and a glorious tone, she infuses each song with heartfelt expression, digging into the lyrics and melody to reveal their richness. No wonder the great jazz drummer; Max Roach once described Vicki’s singing as “a gold mine”! No wonder the amazing Kenny Washington is one of Vicki's biggest fans.

On the West Coast Vicki has performed at The Garden City in San Jose, The San Jose Museum of Art’s “Women in Jazz” series and had a featured spot in the San Jose Jazz Festival. In 1996 she sang at The Great American Music Hall with the Oakland Jazz Choir, Kimball’s East with Madeline Eastman and the Oakland Jazz Choir and the Fillmore Street Jazz Festival . She became a favorite performer at Enrico’s, San Francisco’s acclaimed beatnik haunt, establishing a firm fan base which included the infamous personality Carol Doda. She was featured at Yoshi’s with flautist Nika Rejto and at the Plush Room where she collaborated with acclaimed pianist, Ken Muir noted for his long association with Paula West.

In 2005, Vicki released her debut CD which features original music, lyrics and arrangements of both familiar and rare standards. Entitled Siren Song, it is produced by Vicki and the acclaimed flugal hornist, Dmitri Matheny, who also arranges some of the material. Matheny described her voice as a “wonderful, rich instrument”. Jazz critic Dan Ouellette said of her debut recording that she “succeeds with rapturous, mystical beauty”. Receiving broad critical acclaim and airplay, it has served as a delightful introduction to the New York City jazz scene where she now finds herself playing at renowned NY Jazz haunts such as Birdland, Iridium, the 55 Bar and Mezzrow.

For this show, Vicki will feature music from her latest album. LOTUS BLOSSOM DAYS is Burns’ third CD as a leader and follows Live at Anna’s Jazz Island (2008) and Siren Song (2005). Dr Herb Wong wrote, “Avoiding the predictability of safe havens, her music brims with many more surprises and uncharted delights... Vicki Burns is irresistible.”

On LOTUS BLOSSOM DAYS, Burns wanted to chronicle the arc of a love affair, from the early seduction and love to the sadness and bitterness when the relationship doesn’t work out to gaining a perspective that leads to a wider view of love, life, and ultimately happiness. Vicki Burns is the complete package. She can scat convincingly, swing ike a horn, and write hip songs worthy of attention from other vocalists.

Vicki will be performing with a great band: David Udolf on piano, Ron Belcher on bass and Akira Tana on drums with special guest Smith Dobson on saxophone.

Host or Publisher Bay Area Jazz & Arts, Inc