A Grammy Winner Salutes a Jazz Legend at the Brooklyn Center

May 4, 2017 by Dominique M. Carson

Patti Austin / photo courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

The Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts’ 2016-2017 season has been a memorable one, filled with everything from international dance troupes to jazz greats to acrobats and children’s theater. One of the true highlights took place April 22 as Grammy Award-winning jazz singer Patti Austin paid homage to the late Ella Fitzgerald. Austin’s “Ella Now and Then: A Centennial Celebration of the First Lady of Song” celebrated Fitzgerald’s 100th birthday (she was born April 25, 1917). Austin also performed songs from her own forthcoming album, Ella: Now & Then – the follow-up to her 2002 Grammy-nominated album, For Ella.

Audience members were enthralled by Austin as she sang several Ella Fitzgerald standards, including “Mack the Knife” “April in Paris,” “Sing Me a Swing Song,” and “Lullaby of Birdland.” This show was also a history lesson for those not quite familiar with either jazz or the legendary singer. Austin kept the crowd entertained as she talked about intricate moments of Fitzgerald’s life as a vocalist. From her presence on stage, audience members could sense the respect and admiration that Austin has for Fitzgerald’s phenomenal voice and her contributions to music.

The following Saturday the Center presented the Dallas Children’s Theater production of Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale. Parents were able to take their kids or loved ones to this family-friendly production, which is a musical adaptation of Brooklyn native John Steptoe’s award-winning children’s book of the same name.

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters / photo courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

The Center, which in November hosted a cabaret show by East New York’s own Tony Danza, will present Chaka Khan on May 13 – her first appearance in our borough since she opened the 2015 Celebrate Brooklyn! season.

Artists on our Radar

Janet LaBelle Takes the Spotlight: Blending Vintage Vibes with Modern Magic

Janet Labelle With Guitar In Hand / photo by John Nyboer

Dynamic Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Janet LaBelle continues to push her creative boundaries. Known for her unique ability to fuse analog warmth with modern production, LaBelle has been praised by Jersey Beat for her “sweet voice and sharp, thoughtful songwriting,” and her newest projects are no exception. Her music defies easy categorization, effortlessly blending elements of folk, classic rock, and pop into a sound that feels both fresh and timeless. LaBelle recently released her single “Day in the Sun” on September 13 via her own Wild Violet Records, and it has already been captivating audiences with its sunny melodies and deeply personal narrative. The song, inspired by a meaningful hike with a friend in 2023, showcases her talent for finding beauty in simplicity, a theme that resonates through much of her work. The inclusion of horns marks an exciting creative evolution, adding a new layer of depth to her already richly textured sound. Throughout her career, LaBelle has explored a wide range of musical styles. She first made waves as a teenager in the punk-pop band Avery, and since then, her solo work has spanned genres like classic rock, folk, pop, and even French chanson. Her previous EPs, including Moon Songs (2010) and Blossom & Blue (2011), demonstrate her eclectic tastes, with influences ranging from surf rock to vintage country. Working with respected producers such as Evan Taylor (Bernie Worrell) and Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu, They Might Be Giants), LaBelle continues to expand her sound, evolving with each new release. Fans can catch her live at upcoming performances, including a show at Our Wicked Lady on September 24th and at Sleepwalk on December 3rd. These live shows will give listeners a chance to hear both her new and classic material in an up-close setting. Her combination of memorable songs, captivating performances and a unique voice sets her apart as an artist who continues to rise, drawing listeners in with every new creation.

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