JUN 8–19 | 39th Annual San Francisco Jazz Festival
Jun 19, 2022
Herbst Theatre
PLEASE NOTE:
This page is an archive of a past production
Please visit our calendar for all upcoming SFJAZZ shows.
Original show description below.
“A singular ensemble that puts a soulful stamp on a huge swath of American music” (Boston Globe), Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, plus special vocalist Suzanna Smith, saxophonist Rickey Woodard and the legendary drummer Mr. Harold Jones, bring a rollicking celebration of singing great Peggy Lee, performing her timeless songs with the joyous, dance-ready approach that blends swinging jump-blues and classic jazz.
Formed in 1986 and fronted by the sultry Smith, an alluring singer whose bluesy, brassy style draws on Dinah Washington and Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Little Esther Phillips, the band is known worldwide for tasty arrangements of tunes from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s, as well as their finely crafted original compositions. Under the leadership of arranger and pianist Chris Siebert, the eight-piece ensemble features a rogue’s gallery of robustly swinging soloists from around the Bay Area who cut their teeth with everyone from Big Joe Turner to Ray Charles. They’ve released a trio of fine albums on Smith’s own Fat Note label, covering the gamut of legendary composers including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Irving Berlin, and Harold Arlen. For this performance, Smith and her band honor the legendary Lee and her hits, which include “Fever,” “Why Don’t You Do Right,” and “It’s a Good Day.”
For this performance, Smith and her band honor the legendary Lee and her hits, which include “Fever,” “Why Don’t You Do Right,” and “It’s a Good Day.”
Possessing a deep, finely textured voice, Smith knows how to have fun with a song.
San Francisco Classical Voice
Possessing a deep, finely textured voice, Smith knows how to have fun with a song.
San Francisco Classical Voice
Personnel
Lavay Smith vocals
Suzanna Smith vocals
Rickey Woodard tenor sax
Rob Barics tenor saxophone
Mike Olmos trumpet
Marty Wehner trombone
Lee Bloom piano and organ
Chris Siebert piano and organ
Ron Belcher acoustic bass
Harold Jones drums
A singular ensemble that puts a soulful stamp on a huge swath of American music.
Boston Globe
Personnel
Lavay Smith vocals
Suzanna Smith vocals
Rickey Woodard tenor sax
Rob Barics tenor saxophone
Mike Olmos trumpet
Marty Wehner trombone
Lee Bloom piano and organ
Chris Siebert piano and organ
Ron Belcher acoustic bass
Harold Jones drums
A singular ensemble that puts a soulful stamp on a huge swath of American music.
Boston Globe
Watch & Listen
Lavay Smith
Deed I Do
Lavay Smith
Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You?
Lavay Smith
Deed I Do
Lavay Smith
Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You?