Arts Garage presents LeNard Rutledge
(Published: July 08, 2015)
Saturday, Jul 11, at 8 PM
Captivating, soul stirring, earthy and funky. These are just some of the words used to describe the song stylings of LeNard Rutledge. Growing up in Miami, Florida, LeNard was always surrounded by many different musical styles. His parents had an extensive music collection ranging from Classical, Jazz, Hymns and the funk of James Brown. Accompanying LeNard toinght are Jaui Schneider, piano; Mike Harvey, drums; and Thomas Williams, bass.
LeNard has been a featured vocalist at area jazz spots in South Florida. The Museum of Contemporary Art, the Van Dyke Café, Arts Garage, and O'Hara's Jazz Pub are the most notable. LeNard has shared the stage with a number of highly respectable jazz artists such as: Nnenna Freelon, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kenny Drew Jr., and Harry Allen.
"LeNard Rutledge, born and raised in Miami, where there is only a handful of truly great jazz vocalists, is usually compared, aptly, to the legendary Lou Rawls. Like Rawls, Rutledge's classy elegance is often permeated by the raw passion of his church choir work. Rutledge began not as a vocalist but as a drummer. He began his vocal career in 1997, when he was asked to join the famed Melton Mustafa Orchestra, whose bandleader, the amazing trumpet player Melton Mustafa, was a member of the Count Basie band for seven years. In 2002 Rutledge was introduced to the music director of Miami's Van Dyke Café, Don Wilner, who immediately recognized Rutledge's talent and began giving him regular spots. 'Don Wilner has a reputation of being difficult,' Rutledge says, 'but that's just because he wants the absolute best. I feel honored to sing there, because it means I'm up to those standards.'" (Miami New Times, "Best Jazz Artist")
Music courtesy of KCC Productions. Arts Garage is located at 180 NE First Street in Delray Beach. General Admission is $25 at the door or artsgarage.org. Box office (561) 450-6357
More Information: http://artsgarage.org
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