Three-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant is back at Jazz Alley for a two-night stand on Tuesday, May 28th and Wednesday, May 29th. Salvant last graced the stage at Jazz Alley in 2017 in support of her then soon to be released album, “Dreams and Daggers” – an album that went on to earn Salvant her second Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album. 

Widely considered a generational talent, Salvant has released seven albums, with six of them nominated for Grammy Awards in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category. In addition to her Grammy Award for “Dreams and Daggers,” Salvant’s talent has also been recognized with Grammy wins for “WomanChild” (2013) and “The Window” (2018). All of this, mind you, was accomplished by the age of 34. 

Listening to Salvant can evoke some of the great jazz vocalists of our times. She has cited Sarah Vaughan as a major influence, recalling fond memories of listening to her music in her youth. Billie Holiday, Betty Carter and Carmen McCrea are just a few other names that come to mind. And, although she’s a big fan of the jazz and blues greats from the 20th century, Salvant’s interests can often go much deeper.

Her specific feel for both the past and the present is no more evident then on her album, “Mélusine,” a blend of originals and reimagined songs, some that date back to the 12th century. Salvant, who studied law in France, was also a student of classical and baroque voice at the time. With “Mélusine,” Salvant’s mastery of these distinct music styles is on full display and was recognized with a nomination for the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

The Quartet

Salvant, who just received the 2024 Jazz Journalists Association Female Vocalist of the Year award, rolls into Seattle with some impressive bandmates that include pianist Sullivan Fortner, bassist Yasushi Nakamura, and drummer Aaron Kimmel.

Fortner, a regular pianist in the late Roy Hargrove’s quintet from 2010 to 2017, may be familiar to Jazz Alley patrons who saw Hargrove perform there during that period. Nakamura was born in Tokyo but raised across the lake from Seattle in Bellevue. A highly respected bassist, Nakamura boasts an impressive list of collaborators including Wynton Marsalis, Wycliffe Gordon, and Toshiko Akiyoshi. And, New York based drummer Aaron Kimmel is a much sought after sideman and a regular at one of our favorite haunts in New York – Smalls Jazz Club.

Showtimes for the Cécile McLorin Salvant Quartet are Tuesday, May 28 at 7:30pm and Wednesday, May 29 at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Doors open at 6:00pm each night. Visit Jazz Alley for additional information.