Friday, February 7, 7:30pm
Nevada Theatre, Nevada City, California
$35 premium reserved seating
$25 general admission
Lorraine Gervais and Michelle Amador are teaming up again for a special evening of jazz inspired by the iconic women pioneers of melody, lyrics and rhythm. Singing some of their favorites from Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Joni Mitchell, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone and many more, the two friends always enjoy a sense of fun along with a deep love of singing jazz in their shows. Lorraine and Michelle have performed regularly together in the Lolo’s Lounge Cabaret Series at the Center for the Arts while singing in many different genres, and for special concerts and local events in the area. The singers will be surrounded and supported by their usual cast of stellar players and old friends: Bob Villwock on keyboards (coming in hot from Austin for the show), Tim Bulkley on drums, Matt Langley on sax, guitarists Ray Sayre and Tony Unger, and bassist Andrew Mell.
As a lifelong singer and songwriter, Michelle Amador has received regular acclaim as “a new breed of musician” (Mercury News) from storied musicians like jazz bassist Buster Williams to legendary electronic producers like Osunlade. Most recently recording and releasing singles created with producer Eli Crews (Kathleen Hanna, Yoko Ono, tUnE-yArDs), Michelle delivers “silken-voiced” (SF Chronicle) original music, drawing inspiration from artists such as Solange Knowles, Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell, Björk and many more. Michelle also contributes to the health and well-being of arts and community as Director of Development for the Mark Morris Dance Group, a California Arts Council Established Artist Fellow, Board Member for Nevada County Arts Council and the Nevada County Community Foundation, an organizing member of the NYC Cultural Solidarity Fund, co-founder for Hatfly Productions, and member of the Western States Center Musicians’ Inclusive Democracy Cohort.
Lorraine “Lolo” Gervais is a jazz and R&B singer whose warm and soulful vocals, stage presence and close relationship with her audiences have made her a favorite on both the local scene and when playing different venues up and down the west coast and beyond. She’s known for being a consummate and versatile entertainer who brings a quirky and fun elegance and contemporary feel to any genre she sings. Whether performing with jazz groups, vintage R&B and soul bands, singing with her vocal trio, partying with her disco group, or in any other genres with her featured guests in her Lolo’s Lounge series, performing has been a constant influence in her world. Sharing the stage with other featured singers or singing solo as front woman, she has always loved being a part of the shared space of performer and audience. Singing onstage since childhood, with experiences ranging from playing intimate clubs to arenas, producing shows and mentoring younger singers, Lorraine has truly lived her life in music.