It takes years to build a meaningful friendship, possibly even a lifetime, but in this moment of then and now, the Sistering — Lois Deloatch, Nnenna Freelon, Lenora Zenzalai Helm, and Kate McGarry — have formed a collective who came together individually but share the same musical language.
Deloatch, Freelon, Helm, and McGarry are established song-stylists and composers, all North Carolina-based, who have built a strong friendship and support system over the years. Now, they have come together as a powerful vocal force, sharing their weathered experiences of love, compassion, and wisdom on their forthcoming album titled “The Sistering,” a 12-track recording of compositions composed by the vocalists. The music is emotional, joyful, and compassionate — a warm mosaic quilt of jazz, ballads, gospel, and folk genres. The album was released on Helm’s independent label, Zenzalai Music.
All 12-tracks demand multiple plays, they are that beautiful, so inspiring and reflective on life’s past and present. A few tracks remind me of my family matriarchs. The lyrics from “Follow the Stream” by Deloatch are drenched in gospel; her lyrics are warm as a mother’s touch, offering a grandmother’s wisdom and understanding: “Follow the stream where it leads you/You’ll know when you get there/We come and go so fast.”
“Begin Again” by Helm, about love, loss, and what to do: “triumph and tragedy, they’re both the same/tell the pain your peace of mind is not a toy/you can begin again and God will see you through.” This ballad has tones of Dionne Warwick’s heartfelt ballads.
All four divas take the spotlight on their fun-swinging interpretation of “It had to Be You.” What a ball they had — scatting, blues, and big swing; their comradery and musicianship sparkled. Reminiscent of those fun nights the “Rat Pack” had performing in Vegas, that crazy crew of Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Dean Martin, and Peter Lawford. But of course, these ladies have that sassy pizazz!
“As friends, we inspire each other and learn from each other different skills and talents,” noted McGarry and Freelon. “We want to change the jazz vocabulary with more spice.”
Some of the musicians featured in the ensemble include Miki Hayama on piano and organ, guitarist Keith Ganz, Kobie Watkins on drums and percussion, and John Brown and Paul Creel on acoustic bass.
On April 1, the Sistering will debut at Carnegie Hall at 8 p.m. Helm’s composing and arranging skills will also be center stage, celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month. She and Myers arranged John Coltrane’s “A Conversation with God (Dear God).” She will conduct Transitions in Black with special guests the Sistering, along with the New England Symphonic Ensemble and guests the Tribe Jazz Orchestra. Helms has combined jazz orchestra with chamber ensemble. There will be more than 60 performers on stage. This is an inspired event not to be missed!
For information, visit carnegiehall.org.
It wasn’t too long ago that all ears perked up for the daring young tenor saxophonist and composer Tia Fuller. It seems like time just flew by. While still a student at Spelman, she appeared with the iconic Ray Charles. She has performed regularly with such noted artists as Esperanza Spalding, the Sean Jones Quintet, her mentor Teri Lyne Carrington, the T.S. Monk Septet, and Beyonce’s all-female band. Recently, she enjoyed her headlining debut at Carnegie Hall.
Fuller doesn’t play New York often, but she will appear at Dizzy’s from March 31–April 1 for her belated 50th birthday celebration, with a special performance of music from her upcoming album, “Fuller Sound Vol. 2: Dynasty.” The project honors Fuller Sound, the band formerly led by her parents Fred and Elthopia Fuller. She will be joined by her sister, pianist Shamie Fuller-Royston (a regular member of her ensemble). The music revisits the sounds they grew up with, continuing the band their parents started and the tradition they passed down. Bassist Eric Wheeler and drummer Koleby Royston round out the quartet.
For reservations, visit jazz.org.
The Birdland jazz club celebrates the centennial of Miles Davis from March 31–April 4. Be assured there will be many celebrations in Miles’s honor — the dark prince, the innovator, who played on the bebop scene with Charlie Parker, large jazz ensemble with Gil Evans, birth of the Cool, Bitches Brew; the beginning of Miles’s improvisational fusion adventure soaring in all directions, his first and second great quintets.
The artists called upon for Unlimited Miles: Miles Davis at 100 include pianist John Beasley, trumpeter Sean Jones, saxophonist Marcus Strickland, guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkle, bassist Ben Williams, and drummer Terreon Gully. These established artists are all bandleaders and composers known for their risk-taking edge. They are most capable of representing the inventive music of Miles through their own lens.
For reservations, visit birdland.com.
This April marks the centennial of Randy Weston, a native of Brooklyn, who attended Boys High School with Max Roach and Dewey Redman. The Pan African pianist and composer’s repertoire blended African music and culture with the history of jazz. His jazz rhythms emanated from the African diaspora and influences of Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk.
Two creative artists paying tribute at Dizzy’s on April 2 are Jason Moran and Rodney Kendrick (mentored by Weston and Barry Harris). They each bring their own distinctive style to his definitive legacy. They will be playing for one set only at 7 p.m.
The second set, at 9 p.m., continues Weston’s centennial with pianist Vijay Iyer in a solo tribute, followed by pianist Willerm Delisfort and trombonist Mariel Bildsten, a duo honoring both Weston and Melba Liston, whose centennial also arrived in 2026. Over his career, Randy played in so many varied configurations, from trio to quartet, large ensemble, and beyond, that demonstrated his imaginative musicianship from composer to arranger.
For reservations, visit jazz.org.
On April 3–5, Dizzy’s presents the Randy Weston Centennial Celebration: African Rhythms Alumni Band. Featured are Weston’s core band members of more than three decades: saxophonist, flautist, kalimba player, and music director T.K. Blue; bassist Alex Blake; and percussionist Chief Baba Neil Clarke, with guests pianist Sharp Radway (mentored by Weston) and trombonist Frank Lacy.
“Randy poured his legacy into us — we know his heart and spirit, not just his music,” said Clarke. “He was a storyteller — he gave us songs to play and told us the story behind every composition, giving us a part in playing the story. We had a musical conversation with Randy about those stories, his compositions.” April 6 marks Weston’s centennial.
For reservations, visit jazz.org.