9/26/2008 10:53:00 AM Jazz show to raise money for arts programme Gita Blakeney Saltus brings a night of jazz and visual arts to the Bermuda National Gallery
The Bermuda National Gallery will play host to the sultry, soulful sounds of Gita Blakeney Saltus one of the island's most loved and prolific jazz singers.
And as development director at the Bermuda National Gallery she has organised the fund raising event herself with the proceeds going towards the gallery's ArtReach Educational Programme which aims to bring art to the heart of Bermuda's schools.
Ms. Saltus will headline the event tonight alongside Bermuda's popular jazz outfit The Unit which recently won a competition to play at one of the genre's most important festivals; The Havana International Jazz Festival. The audience will also have the opportunity to help create a group mural lead by local artist Will Collieson which will be auctioned off at the end of the night.
Ms. Saltus has been in the music industry for over 20 years having been inspired by her father's love of jazz.
Musically she has been influenced by the old jazz singers including Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson who she says her voice most resembles.
"There have been many influences they've all had an impact on me. The lyrics were always so poignant; so much more meaningful than what we have now. I'm not knocking the current music but I do appreciate the music of old because it had so much meaning. And melodically I loved it - the melodies and lyrics affected me."
During her early 20s Ms. Saltus decided to audition for one of Bermuda's major shows Greg Thompson's Bermuda Revue showing at the Southampton Princess Hotel. An untrained amateur she turned up to the audition only to find she was up against a host of experienced, veteran artists. But despite her lack of experience she landed one of the leading singing roles and her career blossomed from there.
She has played all over Bermuda and the States and was last year awarded Best Performing Artist at BELCO's VIP Excellence Awards. She says one of her career highlights was being invited by the late Isaac Hayes to play at the Annual Salute to Soul Birthday Celebration for Mr. Hayes at the Copacobana in New York. Ms. Saltus became close friends with Mr. Hayes when he visited Bermuda to play at the Jazz Festival though the concert was cancelled due to bad weather.
On Friday Ms. Saltus will be playing a mix of jazz from her two albums as well as some old school R&B.
"I am a contralto, between alto and soprano. My range is fairly extensive and I have a very sultry style." She said. "Primarily I sing jazz but I also sing R&B, reggae, pop. It depends on my audience.
"On the night coming up you will hear jazz and some R&B. I love the R&B favourites the 'old school' stuff. Stuff like Gladys Knight, Sade. They have influenced me and I like covering their stuff. A lot of people say I'm reminiscent of Nancy Wilson."
Ms. Saltus' sultry sounds will be complemented by Bermuda's top jazz band The Unit comprised of John Lee on bass, Andwele Simons on drums, Lionel Edwards on saxaphone and Ben Lusher who is expected to be playing keyboards.
Ms. Saltus described the popular performers as: "an exciting band with veteran performers who have a high level and energy which they bring to their craft."
Talking about the making of the mural Ms. Saltus said: "This is about bringing visual arts and performing arts together. You can just put your name on it or a splash of colour. Will Collieson is a fantastic local artist who will add his touch and inspire people to get involved. We are bringing art to the street. It's called as 'Slice of Life' because it can be anything you feel. Whatever people are feeling in that moment. The money goes towards the education programme which is one of the most fundamental components of the National Gallery. Educating our children and our community is really at the core of our values. I derive whatever they want in terms of art. So we are an add on to the education.
"The arts are something that crosses race and gender and everything and brings people together to celebrate life."
Champagne, Jazz and Razzamattazz
What: Jazz and R&B singer Gita Saltus and jazz band The Unit. Artist Will Collieson will lead an audience participated mural painting session.
When: Friday, 26 September, 5:50pm to 8:30pm.
Where: Bermuda National Gallery. The show will be outside of the gallery at the number 6 shed.
Tickets: $25 or $15 for Bermuda National Gallery members. Cash bar.
