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

ROBERT SHANN has a degree from S.U.N.Y. @Stony Brook and has performed in many noteworthy venues in the NY & DC metropolitan area (Rainbow Room and Copa Cabana) even for President Clinton. Robert continues to perform and teaches on a full time basis.

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.

OREN LEVINE performs regularly at jazz venues in the DC area including Mr. Henry’s & Bistrot Lepic, often performing original jazz songs. His compositions have been recorded by Carolyn Malachi, Aaron Myers, Lionel Lyles and others. The title track from his album “Making Up For Lost Time” won a Finalist award in the 2019 Mid-Atlantic Song Contest.

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.