In the old section of Panama City, Panama, which is called either Casco Viejo or Casco Antiguo depending on who you ask, you'll find 17th century Spanish colonial architecture and cobblestone streets just adjacent to the Bay of Panama. The area, which has been undergoing a renaissance also features sidewalk cafes, shops, hostels, and all types of clubs.
While walking the winding streets of Casco one night I was directed to a club called Platea. I stopped in and, Bam! Pictures of Miles, Charlie Parker and other Jazz legends adorned every wall. A pleasant surprise. I had found a home. Unfortunately, I discovered they only have Jazz on Thursdays. Oh well, sometime you take what you can get.
One of the things I'll take away from that first visit to Platea is a picture on one wall of five time
Grammy nominated vocalist, Nnenna Freelon. Nenna is a resident of Durham, NC where I was Jazz DJ at 90.7fm. It's where I played her music, and interviewed her. A pleasant surprise. I was told that her picture was hung in the club after her performance at the 2006 Panama Jazz Festival.
Having seen Nnenna perform several times, I have to say I love her live work most of all because she is more than a vocalist. She is a song stylist.
In addition to her vocal talents, Nnenna is a composer, producer and arranger. She has about a dozen albums to her credit, and has performed internationally and all over America, from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl. She has worked with so many greats includung, Ray Charles, Dianne Reeves, and Clark Terry. The list goes on. Nnenna Freelon has been honored with the Eubie Blake, and Billie Holiday Awards, and recorded sound tracks, as well as performing in Film. Her voice can also be heard on the Duke Ellington composition, Prelude To A Kiss, on the TV show Mad Men.
Her latest release, Homefree, includes the hit "Cell Phone Blues".
Ms. Freelon and her husband, super architect Phil Freelon, live in Durham and have three children.
Here's to you, Nnenna!
While walking the winding streets of Casco one night I was directed to a club called Platea. I stopped in and, Bam! Pictures of Miles, Charlie Parker and other Jazz legends adorned every wall. A pleasant surprise. I had found a home. Unfortunately, I discovered they only have Jazz on Thursdays. Oh well, sometime you take what you can get.
One of the things I'll take away from that first visit to Platea is a picture on one wall of five time
Grammy nominated vocalist, Nnenna Freelon. Nenna is a resident of Durham, NC where I was Jazz DJ at 90.7fm. It's where I played her music, and interviewed her. A pleasant surprise. I was told that her picture was hung in the club after her performance at the 2006 Panama Jazz Festival.
Having seen Nnenna perform several times, I have to say I love her live work most of all because she is more than a vocalist. She is a song stylist.
In addition to her vocal talents, Nnenna is a composer, producer and arranger. She has about a dozen albums to her credit, and has performed internationally and all over America, from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl. She has worked with so many greats includung, Ray Charles, Dianne Reeves, and Clark Terry. The list goes on. Nnenna Freelon has been honored with the Eubie Blake, and Billie Holiday Awards, and recorded sound tracks, as well as performing in Film. Her voice can also be heard on the Duke Ellington composition, Prelude To A Kiss, on the TV show Mad Men.
Her latest release, Homefree, includes the hit "Cell Phone Blues".
Ms. Freelon and her husband, super architect Phil Freelon, live in Durham and have three children.
Here's to you, Nnenna!
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