ARTICLE
FALMOUTH, MA—Longtime collaborators and jazz legends Judy Carmichael, Harry Allen and Chris Flory will perform Under the Tent at Highfield Hall & Gardens on Sunday, July 14, from 4:00 pm-6:00 p.m. as part of the Woods Hole Jazz Summer Series. JUDY CARMICHAEL Judy Carmichael is known as one of the best interpreters of stride piano and swing in the world. The great American jazz pianist Count Basie nicknamed her “Stride” for conquering this technically and physically demanding early jazz piano style, and critic Gary Giddons once pointed out the irony in that the last man standing in this “private, competitive domain” is a woman. When she first wrapped her honeyed vocals around “All the Cats” on her 2008 CD Come and Get It, audiences soon discovered they couldn’t get enough of her singing either. Carmichael’s performed in venues all over the world and given private recitals to Rod Stewart, Robert Redford and President Bill Clinton. In 1982, she won a Grammy nomination for her recording “Two Handed Stride” with Red Callendar, Harold Jones, Freddie Green and Marshall Royal from the Count Basie Orchestra (1982). This year, she celebrates 19 years producing and hosting Judy Carmichael’s Jazz Inspired on Public Radio. HARRY ALLEN Wherever lyrical, swinging, classic tenor saxophone is needed, Harry Allen answers the call. Allen, whose father is big-band drummer Maurice Allen, started off with accordion lessons before he made the fortuitous switch to saxophone. Bass player Major Holley helped him get his first gig, replacing Zoot Sims in a studio recording with John Bunch, George Masso, Bucky Pizzarelli and Ruby Braff. After his first recording session with Kenny Barron in 1986, Allen delivered a steady stream of recordings, including Harry Allen Meets the John Pizzarelli Trio (1999). Swing Journal magazine awarded three of his albums a Gold Disc; his CD Tenors Anyone? won both the Gold Disc and New Star awards. Allen teamed up with Carmichael for her CD I Love Being Here With You (2013) and wrote music to her lyrics on their 2016 CD, Can You Love Once More? CHRIS FLORY Carmichael’s favorite guitarist is Chris Flory, who started playing jazz professionally when he was twenty and living in Providence, RI. He’s played or recorded with many jazz greats, including Scott Hamilton, Benny Goodman, Roy Eldridge, Ruby Braff, Maxine Sullivan and Rosemary Clooney. To date he’s recorded on more than 50 CDs and made five of his own. His fourth CD, Blues in My Heart, (2003) paired him with the great blues guitarist Duke Robillard, a player he’s known and admired for over twenty years. Since 1986, he and Carmichael have toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Brazil and made several recordings together including her CDs Judy (1994) and High on Fats…and Other Stuff (2007). Tickets are $60/$50 for Highfield members. For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit highfieldhall.org or call 508.495.1878. Highfield Hall & Gardens is located at 56 Highfield Drive in Falmouth. --END-- Highfield Hall & Gardens, a restored 1878 mansion and estate, is located at 56 Highfield Drive in Falmouth, MA. Surrounded by spectacular gardens and woodlands, Highfield hosts art exhibitions, music concerts, culinary classes, festivals, family events, and public programs. The mansion is open to visitors six days a week from April 15-October 31 and year-round for programs and functions. Admission is $8; Seniors $5; Members, Children under 12 and active military personnel are free. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sundays 12-4 p.m. Closed Mondays except holidays. For information, call (508) 495-1878 or visit highfieldhall.org.