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CANCELLED- The Daughters of Rhythm & Blues presented by The Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz with Carla Cooke

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We regret to announce that this show is cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.  All ticket holders will receive a full refund.  Please check our calendar for other great live shows!

Rhonda Ross

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www.TheRhondaRoss.com

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Artist Bio

Singer-Songwriter, Rhonda Ross is an African Diasporic Woman of the World. Bilingual in French and in English (and raising her son to be fluent in 4 languages), Rhonda often connects with her audiences through their native tongues. Her original music lives in the gap between Jazz, Neo-soul, Funk and Gospel. Her lyrics live in the pause between life’s most important questions and their answers. Rhonda has the entire package -- as an entertainer, as a poet, and as a human being. She has great power on stage and her refreshingly personal and moving performances set her apart from other vocalists of her era. Rhonda's music flows straight from her essence and her bright spirit uplifts everyone in the room. With a crown of natural hair, Rhonda graces the stage with the gravitas and glamour of a modern-day queen.  As the only child of Diana Ross and Motown Founder Berry Gordy, it has become evident that Rhonda not only has the talent, but the significance to carry on her parents’ legacy, all the while establishing her own unique musical destination.

Rhonda's music is based in traditional jazz, but pulls from the entire African diaspora. In 1994, she met, married, and began a 20-year musical collaboration with jazz pianist and composer Rodney Kendrick. Through him, Rhonda commenced studying with the late jazz great Abbey Lincoln. “It was Abbey and Rodney who convinced me to begin my journey as a singer-songwriter.” Rhonda says, “I primarily consider myself a story-teller and poet. I use my music to inspire and to uplift. To teach people – including myself.” Their live CD, Rhonda Ross Live: Featuring Rodney Kendrick is a hot internet seller.

Now a mother to a young son, Rhonda’s music has taken on the more mature stance of a woman “with the understanding and wisdom of a 40 yr old, but the passion and dream-seeking of a 20 yr old!” And what a combination it is! Rhonda is one of the rare artists today using her music to examine the society she lives in – from racism to sexism to homophobia to the need for self-love and spirituality, Rhonda’s songs look through all of it and ask “In the midst of THIS, how can I still live the best life possible?  New songs have emerged. Songs like: “Nobody’s Business” – a groovy, bass-led reminder that “your joy comes from the inside and that it’s nobody else’s job to make you happy”, and “Summer Day”  - an upbeat realization that even after the harshest winter, the sun will re-emerge and “the buds of hope can still bloom”.  ”Through Rhonda’s individual and creative expression, the legendary Ross influence continues to live on and expand. 

Rhonda headlined one of President Obama’s 2nd Inaugural Balls, and later performed to standing ovations and rave reviews at The Hollywood Bowl, The Montreal International Jazz Festival,  Wolf Trap, and The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Rhonda's live performance will thoroughly entertain you and move you to the point of tears – all while inspiring you to believe that you can do or be anything!

Carla Cooke

Connect with this artist:

www.carlacooke.com

The Legendary Sam Cooke is about music, religion, romance, and history. Carla Cooke is the youngest daughter of the Legendary Sam Cooke. Carla’s future mirrors the image of her father. Carla crafted her sound in the church similar to her dad and never sought to use her father’s name but to build her own reputation as many do. Now the younger Cooke knows her father’s roots are so deep that Carla has become her own person and connects with her roots through her father’s music.

Carla Cooke’s style is diverse in Gospel, Christian, R&B, Soul, Pop and the contemporary sound that embraces today’s culture. Carla has the flavor of longevity that will maintain a fan and consumer base to make hits. With a strong vocal range and warm personality, Carla’s stage presence commands the environment wherever she performs. Carla has performed in concert with the Legendary Four Tops and Freda Payne, on the Norwegian Cruise Line, musical performances at Festivals and various venues throughout the United States. Carla Cooke has a CD entitled “A Time to Remember” produced by producer, songwriter Kevin McCord who wrote hit songs for the group “One Way” and “Alicia Myers”. Carla’s CD covers renditions of her father’s hit songs including “A Change Gone Come”, “Summertime” and “Lost and Looking” as well as several compositions she wrote.

Carla is also featured on a compilation CD on the Motor City Hits Label with a song entitled “Could It Be That All I’m Missing” produced by LJ Reynolds of the acclaimed group “The Dramatics”. Various artists on the Motor City Hits CD include “The Four Tops”, “The Dramatics”, “LJ Reynolds”, “The Contours”, “The Vandella’s” and “Keith Washington”. She is set to begin “The Daughters of Rhythm and Blues Tour”. This tour will feature daughters of R&B Legends who will take the stage to showcase their talent in honor of their parents. The Daughters will pay homage to their parents by performing unforgettable tunes of their music that has stood the test of time and is loved by so many fans. The daughters will also feature songs that inspire them as well. Don’t miss this unforgettable journey with the ladies coming soon to venues across the United States and Abroad!

Carla is currently working on a new CD which will showcase her gifts as a vocalist and composer. Carla Cooke proves that the apple does not fall far from the tree as she gives the listener the raw talent, emotion, beauty and charisma that has her carrying the Cooke family torch into the new millennium.

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