Sedona News – The Northern Arizona Blues Alliance (NAZBA) is proud to partner with the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, presenting the “Ladies Sing the Blues”, on Sept. 20, starting 7 p.m., featuring three outstanding Blues singers, all with very accomplished Blues backgrounds.
Opening the show is soulful songstress, singer-songwriter, and soloist, Jacqui Foreman. She favors the classics and covers many well-known artists like Bonnie Raitt, Nina Simone, Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, Tracy Chapman, Jewel, Sheryl Crow, Leon Bridges and Amy Winehouse, all with a taste of Blues interpretation. Her original songs are as eclectic in style as her choices in cover songs, using all of her influences and personal and world experiences to weave stories with a positive message of hope and perseverance. Her shows incorporate loops of vocal harmonies, beats tapped out on her guitar, shakers, and tambourine, which she layers over while she sings her soul out. Her interpretation of old school blues won her the 2019 solo spot for the Northern Arizona Blues Alliance, taking her to compete nationally at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, in January 2019. She also received the opportunity to open with her solo show for British Blues Legend, John Mayall at The Orpheum Theater in Flagstaff, Arizona on January 31, 2020.
Next up is Betty Jo Vachon, delivering Blues to the audience with power and finesse like no other. She is a charismatic vocalist hailed by fans as a “Passionate…Powerful… and Soulful vocalist that connects with people.” Betty Jo takes her Chicago roots music and mixes it with Blues and Motown to give soulful and engaging shows. She brought her music to Arizona in 2009, joining The BluesHounds as the lead vocalist, participating in shows all over Phoenix including The Phoenix Blues Society Blues Showdown in 2010 and 2012 as well as performing at Hot spots including The Rhythm Room. Currently, she is collaborating with Big Daddy D & The Dynamites joining them on gigs all over the Phoenix area. Betty Jo also spends time writing and recording her original music with her sites on releasing a single sometime this year.
Closing the show is Sedona’s own renowned singer, Renee Rice, continues to wow audiences with her vocal talent and stage presence, with a wide selection of songs, ranging from jazz standards to contemporary Pop, Blues, and R&B. She has performed with many great artists such as Ray Charles, The Temptations, Sheila E. and Aretha Franklin and was honored to sing the national anthem for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons and the Arizona Rattlers. Renee is classically trained and attended college with a full music scholarship at Macomb Center for the Performing Arts in Sterling Heights, Michigan where she had the honor to perform for former President Ronald Reagan. She performs regularly in Phoenix at select venues during the year and received standing ovations at the Greater Prescott Valley Blues Festival in 2021 and Elks Theater Performance in 2022. Renee has been a semi-finalist at the 2017 Memphis International Blues Competition (IBC).
Backing up these great singers is a stellar band consisting of Big Daddy D, Darryl Porras on Guitar, 2020 Memphis International Blues Competition (IBC) Semifinalist, and 2022 Memphis IBC Finalist Runner Up. Big Daddy’s guitar work is a combination of old and new styles and guaranteed to grab your ear. On drums is the Northern Arizona Blues Alliance Founder and current President, Dr. Bob Sellani, a 2017 Memphis IBC Semifinalist and a 2019 Heritage Blues Hall of Fame Inductee. On keys, is S.E. (Steve) Willis, whose music is deeply rooted in traditional American forms, playing alongside such artists as Chuck Berry, Bo Diddly, Albert King, Jimmy Rogers, Roy Gaines, and, since 2000, Elvin Bishop. Rounding out the back-line on bass is Marie Zee, a talented bassist, who entertains regularly around the State, playing a wide variety of genres and performs with the Cadillac Assembly Line Band based in Phoenix.
“Ladies Sing the Blues” takes the stage on Friday, Sept. 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased in advance at www.sedonafilmfestival.org or at the Sedona Film Festival office or Mary D. Fisher Theatre box office. For further information, call the film festival office at 928-282-1177.