Brenda Nicole Moorer, Cleveland P. Jones & more play #AJF40 [PHOTOS]

adminMay 29, 2017

Written by | Ray Cornelius

Take a look at more great photos from Sunday’s Atlanta Jazz Festival. I had so much fun on Saturday evening capturing images of Macy Gray that I had to go back and get some shots of music’s rising stars Brenda Nicole Moorer and Cleveland P. Jones.

Jones performed on the Contemporary Stage and wowed the audience with such classic tunes as Duke Ellington‘s “Round Midnight” as well as his hit single, “Patience.” Jones is the “embodiment of soul and jazz” and has opened for such music legends as Chaka Khan.

Cleveland P. Jones

Moorer performed tunes from her Brand New Heart album on the Next Generation Stage. She began her set with “Re-Imagined” and then into the album’s title song, “Brand New Heart” and a sultry rendition of Michael Jackson‘s “I Can’t Help It.” Moorer is also an actress and accomplished photographer who has worked as an arts advocate while cultivating her career as a singer. She has performed with such Atlanta artists as Mausiki Scales and Khari Cabral Simmons.

Brenda Nicole Moorer

Because a lot of the artists where playing at the same time, I had to leave Brenda’s set to scurry over to see Julie Dexter‘s performance. Unfortunately, I got there when she was singing her last song but I was able to get a few shots. Dexter is best known as the “Queen of U.K. Soul” and for her amazing mix of jazz with Bossa-Nova and Afro-Beats. She has also performed alongside such musical superstars as Mint Condition, Jill Scott, Ledisi, Lalah Hathaway, Maxi Priest and Omar. She was also on the cover of this weekend’s Creative Loafing Atlanta, which paid homage to the 40th Anniversary of the Atlanta Jazz Festival.

Julie Dexter

After Julie’s set, I hurried over to the Legends Stage to capture images of Kathleen Bertrand and Friends as they paid tribute to iconic jazz vocalist—Sarah Vaughn. Bertrand called upon six of the ATL’s best jazz divas to help her performed songs made famous by Vaughn, who was also known as “Sassy” and “Divine One.” The singers included Rhonda Thomas, Chandra Currelley, Myrna Clayton, Laura Coyle, Toni Redd and Robin Latimore with musical direction by Phil Davis. Songs performed during this set included “Fever,” “Send in the Clowns” and “Whatever Lola Wants.”

Kathleen Bertrand and Friends

I also got a chance to hang out with some of my close friends afterwards for an impromtu photoshoot and much more. See those images and additional pics of the artists’ performances and candid shots throughout the Atlanta Jazz festival below: