Adalia Tara + Laissez Foure

RESCHEDULED FROM Friday, October 15, 2021 to May 2022.

Friday, May 13, 2022

8:00 PM – Performance in the BlackBox Theater

Adalia Tara + Laissez Foure

ADALIA TARA

Adalia Tara is an award-winning singer-songwriter and recording artist.

Before returning to her Washington D.C. roots, Adalia Tara was an active musician in Sedona, Arizona. She was a spotlight performer at TEDx, played at the Sedona International Film Festival, WomanSpeak International Festival, as well as the International Day of Peace. Her debut music video “Release Me,” won “Audience Choice Award” at the Crossroads Film Festival in Jackson, Mississippi, and “Best Music Video” at the Albuquerque Film and Music Experience. Her debut album of original music, Why Wait, is filled with anthems for our time, reflecting on what makes us human. Her sophomore album of reimagined jazz standards with her one of her bands, Portraits Jazz Project, was released in June 2019 and received excellent reviews by acclaimed jazz critics as well as being named one of the "Best Jazz Albums of 2019,”on All About Jazz. She recently released two new songs off of her third upcoming album, one of which received top awards at the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest and the International Songwriting Competition (ISC).

“...the vocalist is very impressive. Her powerful and pliable voice does not necessarily conjure up familiar singers of the past or present but is a unique instrument..." adaliatara.com | fb.com/adaliataramusic | @adaliatara

LAISSEZ FOURE

Laissez Foure is a a swingin jazz quintet knee-deep in the tradition of the 30s and 40s with a tinge of New Orleans. They also perform music of the Golden Era of jazz, ballads and bossa nova. Their live performance is reminiscent of the French Quarter, New Orleans. They've performed from Richmond, VA to NYC since 2006. fb.com/laissezfoure | @laissezfoure

ALEX NOWAK is a graduate of University of Maryland: College Park. He performs in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area regularly. He has studied with Tom Baldwin, Chris Vadala, and Alex Berti. He’s been performing as a freelance jazz musician in the area for the last 10 years with a variety of bands.

KEN MATTHEWS is a Virginia Tech graduate and plays all saxophones/clarinet. He is also the bandleader for Laissez Foure, celebrating 15 years in the business this year. He has studied with Jeff Antoniuk and Bobby Watson. Ken has performed locally, regionally and worldwide.

TODD BALDWIN served as trombonist for 32 years with The U.S. Army Band in Washington, DC. Approaching his 40th year as a teacher/freelance performer, he has performed with Washington Opera, Washington Ballet, Richmond Symphony and the National Gallery Orchestra and enjoys playing small group jazz.

JUSTIN TAYLOR commands a sound and style that captivates audiences and astounds the listener. His approach to creating music and connecting with his audiences is nothing short of music mastery at its finest. This Towson University graduate, with a degree in Jazz Studies and Commercial Music has been performing for over 24 years on both local and national stages with some of the music industry's most prolific and well known artists in jazz, gospel and R&B. Equally skilled in these styles of music, Justin is also a writer, producer, and engineer. He has performed or opened for artist such as Grammy-nominated R&B & Hip Hop artist Jaheim, Contemporary R&B and Pop singer K'Jon, Baltimore's very own National recording artist Maysa Leak and national recording saxophonist Corinthia Cromwell, Tim Warfield, Warren Wolf, Ed Hrybyk and several other prominent local and national artists. Because of Justin's versatility, he is one of Baltimore's most sought after young pianists who is making his mark in this great art form called music. He has recorded on several national & artist albums in his career and has taught at Columbia & Baltimore's School of Rock & performed as an artist in residency in the ensemble at Towson University. Justin is currently working on material for his debut project.

MICHAEL FLAHERTY is a retired drummer from the US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. He also studied at University of Central Florida, George Mason University and Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona. As a founder of Dixieland Direct, he performs at jazz clubs in the DC and northern VA area.

THE PATRON EXPERIENCE:

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HEALTH & SAFETY:

As BlackRock continues to prioritize the health and safety of our visitors, staff, students and artists, it is required (until further notice) that anyone inside the building must wear a mask and anyone age 12+ must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

For questions, please reach out to BlackRock’s Box Office - boxoffice@blackrockcenter.org