Philadelphia Songbook Vol. 2 Vocalists:

Saudah Al Akbar - vocal director and vocalist

Saudah Al-Akbar is a Philadelphia native and has been performing Jazz forever. After being heard by Jazz legend, Max Roach, at the age of 14, she received a scholarship to attend the Jazz in July Workshop at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She was the youngest vocalist to attend the program at that time. There she had the opportunity to study with many jazz masters such as Sheila Jordan, Dr. Billy Taylor, Dr. Yusef Lateef, and Max Roach.  Saudah went on to study at the New School for Contemporary and Jazz Music in Manhattan, NY for a brief period before moving on to receive her BA from Berklee College of Music. Ms. Al-Akbar has performed in many venues including Lincoln Center and the Blue Note.

V. Shane Frederick - pianist and vocalist

Though a pianist, vocalist and poet,  V Shayne Frederick pursued formal musical study at Dartmouth College, and honed his skills locally under legendary Philadelphian, pianist, composer and vocalist Trudy Pitts, his informal acquaintence with music began at birth when he entered the world by way of two musician parents-- his mother, a pianist and vocalist, and his father, a saxophonist.

His singer's craft has been honed at jam sessions, on bandstands, in concert halls, and behind pianos at a multitude of venues over the last decade:  Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, SugarHouse Casino, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Resorts Casino, Society Hill Playhouse, Philadelphia Clef Club for Performing Arts, the African-American Museum in Philadelphia, and Art Sanctuary, a list which is not exhaustive….of his talent,  or stage experience. He is widely hailed as a voice on the rise… whose interpretations and rich vocal engagement positioned him to become of the areas premiere jazz artists.

Tara Middleton - vocalist and violinist

Tara Middleton is a singer whose expressive vocal styling and enchanting stage presence have captivated audiences around the world. At a time when female jazz singers have been arriving in waves, she is that rarity. An authentic vocal artist who brings an irresistible blend of musicality and melodic insight to every song she sings. Tara focuses on the essential elements of her art, her voice is full of warmth an character. Tara has studied music performance at Rowan University, and recorded with BBC radio in 2014. She currently lends both her nimble rich vocal and violin musicianship to the Sun Ra Arkestra under the leadership of Marhsall Allen. Most recently, she became a member of Jalalu Kalverts Nelson’s, “Transformational Music Ensemble” formed in 2014 to perform William Parker's commissioned composition, “Flower In A Stained Glass Window” at Ars Nova Workshop concert.

Milton Suggs - vocalist

From childhood, Milton Suggs played various instruments and fostered a deep intuition for music.  However, only after undertaking study under pianist Willie Pickens (his godfather) during his freshman year of college did his interest turn professional.. Transferring to Columbia College Chicago sharpened his focus, revealing capacity for composition/arranging as a well as piano performance. After completing the undergraduate degree, he continued study at DePaul University where he earned  Master of Music. Wynton Marsalis’s encouragement led him to pursue singing more seriously. In 2010, he was selected to participate in The Kennedy Center’s Betty Carter Jazz Ahead residency: an opportunity which placed him aside legends Dr. Billy Taylor, Curtis Fuller, Dr. Nathan Davis and Carmen Lundy.

Citing the music, history, and culture of the generations that preceded him as foundation his own vocal output, Milton names a wide variety of influences ranging through Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Eddie Jefferson, Jon Hendricks, Joe Williams, Oscar Brown, Jr., Donny Hathaway, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye.  He notes that these forerunners are shapers of his rich baritone instrument just as their work provide milestones to every vocalese lyric and note music of that he writes. Suggs has recorded three studio albums and has received praise from in the popular publications Downbeat and Jazz Times magazine. He resides between Philadelphia and  New York City.

http://thejazzline.com/features/2012/07/milton-suggs-chicago-jazz