WSIE Music Series - With Janet Evra and Breakin' Away - Al Jarreau Tribute

Janet Evra is an international jazz vocalist, bassist, and bandleader from England now based in St. Louis in the USA.

Breakin’ Away: A Tribute to Al Jarreau. is directed by keyboard player, vocalist and songwriter Pete Ruthenburg, this all-star lineup features the vocal talents of Charles Glenn, Anita Jackson and Joe Mancuso!

Evra performs on premier stages across the USA and Europe, with recent international appearances at the Brecon Jazz Festival in Wales, the Deva Jazz Festival in Romania, and the Linna Jazz Festival in Finland. In St. Louis, Evra regularly performs at Jazz St. Louis and at The Sheldon, where she is an Artist in Residence. Evra has collaborated with jazz superstars Randy Brecker, Marcus Miller, Veronica Swift, Wycliffe Gordon, Jeff Coffin, Roy Wooten, Dave Weckl and Eric Marienthal, among others. She sings in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. Evra is a Plum Jazz artist, and she has released four critically-acclaimed albums: Ask Her to Dance (2018), Janet Evra & Ptah Williams: New Friends, Old Favorites (2021), Hello Indie Bossa (2022), and Meet Me in Paris (2023). Her music is played on hundreds of radio stations based in the USA, UK, France, Norway, India, and New Zealand and on St. Louis radio stations WSIE 88.7 The Sound, and 90.7 St. Louis Public Radio.

Al Jarreau’s unique vocal style was one of the world’s most precious treasures. His innovative musical expressions made him one of the most exciting and critically-acclaimed performers of our time with seven Grammy® Awards, scores of international music awards and popular accolades worldwide. The world lost an icon when he passed away on February 12, 2017. Now, St. Louis’ finest assemble to pay tribute to this vocal treasure with Breakin’ Away: A Tribute to Al Jarreau. Directed by keyboard player, vocalist and songwriter Pete Ruthenburg, this all-star lineup features the vocal talents of Charles Glenn, Anita Jackson and Joe Mancuso!

The son of an accomplished opera singer, Charles Glenn received early musical training in both voice and percussion. Charles has utilized both his strong vocal and percussion talents as the opening act for such national groups as Smokey Robinson, Huey Lewis and the News, and the Allman Brothers. Charles was also selected to perform a series of limited engagements with Grammy Award-winning group The Fifth Dimension. In addition, Glenn has had the distinct honor of singing the National Anthem for the St. Louis Rams, St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues.

Anita Jackson is a native of St. Louis, Missouri who returned home after living in New York City for twelve years. She is a graduate of the American Music and Dramatic Academy in New York and has performed extensively nationally and internationally in theater productions, concerts and workshops. She recorded as a background vocalist for Bette Midler on her acclaimed song "From a Distance" which won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1991; as a background vocalist for Patti Austin on "I Can Move this Mountain"; and Mariah Carey on "Anytime You Need a Friend". On March 29, 2024, she released her first solo jazz album, "Life is Beautiful", in honor of dear family and friends lost during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Award-winning vocalist Joe Mancuso earns critical and popular acclaim for his powerful and dynamic range of baritone jazz stylings. A master at placing notes with the most tasteful use of syncopation, Mancuso swings! The St. Louis native has phrasing that is exciting, fresh, and unique. Mancuso’s debut album Cut to the Chase won “Best Album” (2014) and he earned “Best Musical Act” (2014) from the Riverfront Times (RFT) Readers Poll. After taking a 15-year hiatus from live performances, tragic events inspired Joe to return to music in 2011. Within months of his comeback, Mancuso won “Best Vocalist” (2012) in the RFT Readers Poll and his popularity has sky-rocketed ever since!

Relive the magic as they take you on a journey through Jarreau’s catalogue, including hits like Mornin’, Roof Garden, Moonlighting, We’re In This Love Together and Spain!

Host or Publisher Miners Institute Foundation