“A powerful young performer blessed with Lena Horne's biting enunciation, J'ai sometimes sounds as pure and creamy as Ann Hampton Calloway, other times embraces the earthy integrity of Nina Simone." --The Jazz Times "Sweet Baby J'ai's mixture of musical styles was mesmerizing...there's no doubt the `being real' is what makes this unique performer one of a kind." _-- Blues and Soul Magazine "...wonderfully original." - New York Times "...extraordinary...a stunning performer." - Jazz Now" “Yes, Sweet Baby J’ai plays the washboard, and occasionally the spoons. But this ain’t no backyard hoedown. She turns the washboard into a “jazzboard,” adding rhythmic accents and even solos using spoons, sticks and brushes, depending on the mood of the song…her infectius personality and realness come through...” OC Weekly Product Description Sweet Baby J'ai's EVOLUTION takes you on an extraordinarily vivid journey. This multi-talented singer, composer, arranger and producer has managed to breathe new life into classic songs with her original, sometimes unexpected, often sophisticated interpretations. A wonderful collection of jazz, blues and spoken word, which includes four carefully crafted originals, EVOLUTION features some of the finest musicians on the scene today. Sweet Baby J'ai surrounds herself with a plethora of great musicians including Teddy Edwards and Oscar Brashear, all of whom, according to James Jannise, Program Host of KLON, 88.1, America's #1 jazz station, "...play up to the level that each of them are known and respected for. I can say with authority that this collection of works has elevated Sweet Baby J'ai from songstress to Diva." Teddy Edwards - saxophone, Oscar Brashear - trumpet, Nate Morgan - piano & flute, Paula Gallitano - piano, Trey Henry - bass, Trevor Ware - bass, Sherman Ferguson - drums, Ronald Muldrow - guitar, Mike Simms - guitar, Jamie Findlay - 12 string guitar, Carol Chaikin - sax & flute, Nolan Shaheed - trumpet, Kerry Loeschen - trombone, Louis Taylor, Jr. - baritone, Tambu - percussion, Vicki Randle - percussion About the Artist Sweet Baby J'ai got her start under the guidance of mentor, the legendary Phil Moore. Shortly thereafter she could be found performing in jazz clubs in Paris. Back home in the U.S., she benefited early on in her career from the support and direction of working with legends, saxophonist Teddy Edwards and guitarist Phil Upchurch. Sweet Baby J'ai is a critically acclaimed vocalist and songwriter who has toured the world with her distinctive sound. She and her band have also performed extensively in the U.S. and have been featured at numerous festivals, clubs and benefits. She has shared the stage with such luminaries as The Jazz Crusaders, Etta James, Joe Sample, Koko Taylor, Frank Capp & The Juggernaut, Sheila E., Stanley Turrentine, Patrice Rushen, Red Holloway and the late Eddie Harris, to name a few. She has been heard on radio and television both nationally and internationally. With her deep, powerful, sometimes playful and sensuous voice, and her acclaimed songwriting style, Sweet Baby J'ai is provocative and impassioned, combining her infectious personality and original style with the influences of Carmen McRae and Joe Williams. Some critics describe her as a "jazz singer", others as a "blues singer", but all agree that this versatile singer-songwriter is a "storyteller". Sweet Baby J'ai grew up in a city rich with musical history, Kansas City, home to legends like Big Joe Turner and Charlie "Bird" Parker among others. At only five years old, she was already writing songs and by the age of eight, sneaking in the backdoors of clubs on 18th & Vine to watch her father play with top jazz musicians. Her uncle, Vernon Gower, played bass with Billie Holiday and Lionel Hampton and her cousin, Michael Howell, played guitar with Dizzie Gillespie. Her style is rooted in the Kansas City sound. Sweet Baby J'ai is a versatile performer and an unconventional musician. She takes the washboard, an instrument usually reserved for Cajun or jug band music and puts a jazz spin on it, claiming it as her own "Jazzboard" sound. Whether singing a swinging version of a standard, a soulful blues ballad or a haunting original, she weaves her special magic through songs seemingly taylor-made for her intimate style. Baby J'ai demonstates many talents on her releases. Both, The Art of Blue and her latest release, Evolution find her wearing multiple hats including producer, composer and arranger. She serves up a multi-hued palette of songs that highlight her warm velvety tones, sometimes fun and often thought-provoking lyrics. She swings, whispers, shouts and caresses every song like telling a personal story. Her CD's are a complication of original compositions, fresh approaches to jazz classics, and obscure covers. Call her a renaissance woman-she's also a playwright, having co-written the acclaimed play, "3 Women: A Dramatic Tribute to The Divas of Jazz & Blues", as well as being an actress, novelist and artist. Sweet Baby J'ai is one of the brightest rising stars in jazz.