UPTOWNflavor

Okay, I know I’ve slacked a little the past couple of weeks with the Freestyle Fridays but they’re back…well, at least this week. I have some very exciting artists to share with you. Young women who are keeping the jazz legacy alive while adding their own contemporary flavor to the mix. Check them out.

Nefetari Bey

Bay Area born and raised under the musical influences of Chicago and Detroit, Nefetari Bey is a 20-something with a voice rich and mature as her inspirations. With traces of Dinah Washington, Sassy and Randy Crawford, Bey is an up and coming jazz star working on her debut CD. To add the icing to the cake, she resides right here in Harlem. To find out more about her, check out her website [NefetariBey.com]

Amel Larrieux

Starting her career with the group Groove Theory, this gorgeous songbird has gone on to create a style that is uniquely her own. Amel Larrieux grew up in a West Village artists building in New York, where her parents exposed her to bohemian characters and experiences that molded her eclectic sensibilities. Her style ranges from R&B, jazz, folk, Middle Eastern, West African, and Indian. Amel is in the process of releasing her 4th solo project comprised of Jazz Standards on May 22nd. To taste a light sampling of “Lovely Standards” visit her myspace page [myspace.com]. To learn more about Amel visit her website [AmelLarrieux.com]

Chrisette Michele

Listening to Chrisette Michele sing conjures up thoughts of someone who has been in the music game for a while, but she is only 24 years old. I first heard her singing alongside rap veteran Nas (son of Olu Dara) on “Can’t Forget about You,” which samples Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable.” She has also sang alongside rapper Jay-Z on his track, “Lost Ones.” Look for her debut CD, “I Am,” to drop on June 19th. You can sample her music on her myspace page or on her website [ChrisetteMichele.com] Watch:”Can’t Forget about You” [video]