Singer Charenee Wade, a Monk Competition finalist, will release her Motéma Msic debut, Offering: The Music of Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson, on June 23. Described in a press release as “the first full-length album tribute to Scott-Heron and his musical collaborator Brian Jackson by a woman artist,” Offering was produced by Mark Ruffin and features Brandon McCune on piano; Dave Stryker on guitar; Lonnie Plaxico on bass; and Alvester Garnett on drums. Wade’s labelmate, saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, sits in on “Essex/Martin,” as does Marcus Miller on bass clarinet and actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner on spoken word. Another spoken word guest is bassist Christian McBride, who opens “Peace Go With You Brother.” Vibraphonist Stefon Harris is featured on six selections.
Wade will also perform selected dates, listed below.
May 30: Exit Zero International Jazz Festival – Cape May, NJ
June 5-6: Minton’s Playhouse with JC Hopkins Big Band, New York City
June 12: The Ritz Theatre and Museum – Jacksonville, FL
June 19: Betty Carter Tribute at Ginny’s Supper Club at Red Rooster, New York City
July 8: * CD RELEASE EVENT * Jazz Standard, New York City
August 9: San Jose Jazz Festival, San Jose, CA