Join Us for a Fantastic Evening with
Two Legendary Jazz Vocalists
Two Legendary Jazz Vocalists
SHARON JONES and JIM PORCELLA
With John Hyde (piano), Marty Ballou (bass), and Les Harris, Jr. (drums)
Music from “Ella Fitzgerald” to “Frank Sinatra” and
“The Great American Songbook”
77 Daniel Street, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Two Shows: Friday, July 5
1st Show: 6-7:15 pm (doors open 5:30)
2nd Show: 8:15-9:30 pm (doors open 7:45)
Two Shows: Friday, July 5
1st Show: 6-7:15 pm (doors open 5:30)
2nd Show: 8:15-9:30 pm (doors open 7:45)
Reserved Seating: $20 (Pre-Sale), $25 (At Door)
The Show...
Join us for a fabulous new show with two legendary jazz vocalists, Sharon Jones and Jim Porcella. They are teaming up for the first time to entertain you with a mix of jazz music from Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra and the “Great American Songbook.”
Hailing from New England, both Sharon and Jim have made their name in clubs and performances across the U.S. and internationally.
The Musicians
Sharon Jones, vocalist
Sharon Jones is “Portsmouth’s Gem,” so named by “Portsmouth Spotlight Magazine” for her many shining performances over the years at The Music Hall, Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club, the Seacoast Jazz Festival, Top of the Hub, and much more! She is admired and loved for her inimitable, energetic, multi-dimensional vocals, whether singing a ballad, a hard jazz tune, a funky blues composition, or a ‘60s rock song. A born performer, she infuses emotion into every song and draws you into the experience with her. Growing up in Portsmouth in a family of 13 children, she launched her career shortly after high school, traveling extensively with world renowned jazz organist, Johnny Hammond Smith and saxophonist Houston Person before settling in Los Angeles where she sang in popular clubs, was a studio backup singer, and studied voice. During the summers she performed at resorts from New York to LA to Boston and Montreal, before returning to New England to make Portsmouth her permanent home. In 2007 during Black History Month, the Portsmouth Postal Service presented Sharon with the “Ella Fitzgerald Commemorative Stamp” honoring Sharon’s community service as well as her tremendous talent.
Hear Sharon on youtube:
https://youtu.be/imiHNiOxa4I?si=BXNF5R-HMMHEQnkS
https://youtu.be/rqyHlFOe6z8?si=ALrl4jxrS1WSZSr4
Jim Porcella, vocalist
Jim Porcella has been singing jazz since the early 1970s. Joe Williams said this about him: "Jim's got the gift! He really swings!" And Diane Shur noted his "wonderful choices, beautifully sung!" Rex Reed said, “Jim's singing is exquisite! I want to hear more!" Jim grew up in Medford, Massachusetts, and started playing drums at age 14. Later, while attending the Berklee School of Music in Boston he began singing around the New England area. His jazz vocal career took off and he went on to record seven critically acclaimed CDs, performing in jazz and cabaret settings in the Northeast, London, San Francisco, the Virgin Islands, and Vancouver. He was also the featured vocalist at Boston's Ritz Carlton and Boston's prestigious Bay Tower Room. He has been the featured vocalist with the Artie Shaw Orchestra and is the leader of the swing band Bombay Jim and the Swinging Sapphires. Jim was also lead vocalist with the group Primavera!, a tribute show to the music of Louis Prima and Keely Smith. And for several years he traveled the country with the show The 3 Swingin Tenors. He presently performs a show with his daughter Renee Legendre called “Just the Two of Us" and is the lead vocalist with "GUMBO" presenting the music of New Orleans.
Hear Jim on youtube:
https://youtu.be/7EWBasac05E?si=iS9o4_uuAb4IFfAa
With...
John Hyde, pianist
Marty Ballou, bassist
Les Harris, Jr, drummer
Sharon Jones is “Portsmouth’s Gem,” so named by “Portsmouth Spotlight Magazine” for her many shining performances over the years at The Music Hall, Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club, the Seacoast Jazz Festival, Top of the Hub, and much more! She is admired and loved for her inimitable, energetic, multi-dimensional vocals, whether singing a ballad, a hard jazz tune, a funky blues composition, or a ‘60s rock song. A born performer, she infuses emotion into every song and draws you into the experience with her. Growing up in Portsmouth in a family of 13 children, she launched her career shortly after high school, traveling extensively with world renowned jazz organist, Johnny Hammond Smith and saxophonist Houston Person before settling in Los Angeles where she sang in popular clubs, was a studio backup singer, and studied voice. During the summers she performed at resorts from New York to LA to Boston and Montreal, before returning to New England to make Portsmouth her permanent home. In 2007 during Black History Month, the Portsmouth Postal Service presented Sharon with the “Ella Fitzgerald Commemorative Stamp” honoring Sharon’s community service as well as her tremendous talent.
Hear Sharon on youtube:
https://youtu.be/imiHNiOxa4I?si=BXNF5R-HMMHEQnkS
https://youtu.be/rqyHlFOe6z8?si=ALrl4jxrS1WSZSr4
Jim Porcella, vocalist
Jim Porcella has been singing jazz since the early 1970s. Joe Williams said this about him: "Jim's got the gift! He really swings!" And Diane Shur noted his "wonderful choices, beautifully sung!" Rex Reed said, “Jim's singing is exquisite! I want to hear more!" Jim grew up in Medford, Massachusetts, and started playing drums at age 14. Later, while attending the Berklee School of Music in Boston he began singing around the New England area. His jazz vocal career took off and he went on to record seven critically acclaimed CDs, performing in jazz and cabaret settings in the Northeast, London, San Francisco, the Virgin Islands, and Vancouver. He was also the featured vocalist at Boston's Ritz Carlton and Boston's prestigious Bay Tower Room. He has been the featured vocalist with the Artie Shaw Orchestra and is the leader of the swing band Bombay Jim and the Swinging Sapphires. Jim was also lead vocalist with the group Primavera!, a tribute show to the music of Louis Prima and Keely Smith. And for several years he traveled the country with the show The 3 Swingin Tenors. He presently performs a show with his daughter Renee Legendre called “Just the Two of Us" and is the lead vocalist with "GUMBO" presenting the music of New Orleans.
Hear Jim on youtube:
https://youtu.be/7EWBasac05E?si=iS9o4_uuAb4IFfAa
With...
John Hyde, pianist
Marty Ballou, bassist
Les Harris, Jr, drummer
Reserved Tickets: $20 (pre-sale) $25 (at the door)
About the Seacoast Jazz Society
This show is part of the Jazz All-Stars Series sponsored by the Seacoast Jazz Society. The Society, founded in 1990, is a nonprofit organization serving northern Massachusetts to Portland, Maine. Its mission is to keep jazz alive in the community, support local musicians, offer jazz education and events, and provide scholarships for young artists. To become a member or join the mailing list, click here.
This show is part of the Jazz All-Stars Series sponsored by the Seacoast Jazz Society. The Society, founded in 1990, is a nonprofit organization serving northern Massachusetts to Portland, Maine. Its mission is to keep jazz alive in the community, support local musicians, offer jazz education and events, and provide scholarships for young artists. To become a member or join the mailing list, click here.