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Edmonia Jarrett |
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Biography  I've known Edmonia since 1995. The first time I saw her live I felt as if I had sat six feet away from one of the greats. After seeing her several dozen times my adoration has never faltered. I'm proud to call her my friend. Keith & Claudia Church (The JazzDog) Edmonia Passed From this Earth But Not Our Hearts: Saturday, March 16, 2002 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  Born March 11, 1933, A late bloomer, Edmonia Jarrett embarked on her jazz career at the age of 55 when people in other professions start their countdown to retirement. Long involved with gospel singing in church choirs, in 1991 Jarrett appeared in the role of Bessie Smith in a play on the life of Janis Joplin produced in Seattle, Washington. She was spotted by a booker who jump started Jarrett's jazz career by getting her into several jazz venues in the Seattle area. With neither musical education nor training nor an especially musical family, Jarrett is one of those true naturals who emerge every now and then to make a name for themselves. Jarrett has two albums under her belt, +Live, Live, Live+ produced in 1996, and Legal at any Age released in 1998. Both were done for the MNOP Record company. While Jarrett' s voice hints of her gospel background, there's not as much as one might otherwise think. In her deep, throaty voice there's a healthy dose of Carmen McRae as the great one sounded toward the end of her career. In 1998, Jarrett appeared at the Mile High Festival in Carson City. In 1999, she worked at Victoria's jazz festival in British Columbia. Also in 1999, she appeared with Freddie Cole's band in Atlanta, Georgia. As the 20th Century winds down, Jarrett continues to perform regularly in Seattle clubs and at Jazz Festivals in the Northwest United States and western Canada. Possessing excellent pitch, good phrasing with great attention to lyrical detail, Jarrett personalizes each tune to capture the attention of the listener. Dave Nathan |
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