Saxophonist
Gerald Albright, Born
and raised in Los Angeles, Albright was already an accomplished saxophonist by
the time he enrolled at the University of Redlands, but he switched to bass
after he saw Louis Johnson in concert. Playing both sax and bass, he becoming
the consummate session and touring musician in the 80s, working with everyone
from Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Jr., Atlantic Starr, The Temptations and Maurice
White to Les McCann, Teena Marie, the Winans and Whitney Houston.
He
launched his solo career in the infancy of what became the smooth jazz format,
with Just Between Us in
1987 and has been a core part of the genre with chart-topping albums, countless
radio hits and as a member of many all star tours, including Guitars &
Saxes and Groovin’ For Grover. In the late 90s, he fronted a big band for and
toured with pop star Phil Collins and did a dual recording with vocal great
Will Downing called Pleasures of
the Night. Between his last two Grammy-nominated solo albums Pushing The Envelope (2010) and Slam Dunk (2014), he enjoyed hit
collaborations with two huge hits – 24/7
with guitarist Norman Brown and Summer Horns
by Dave Koz and Friends (including Mindi Abair and Richard Elliot), which were
also Grammy-nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Albums.
Now
with his very talented
daughter, Selina Albright who developed her onstage charisma and vocal technique
from being exposed to legendary artists, such as Whitney Houston, Take Six,
Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Beyonce, Lalah Hathaway, and Tina Turner.
Her intimate, connective style comes from experiences and aspirations from her
own life, so that when you listen to her music you are introduced to a private
piece of who Albright is, has been, or is becoming.
Selina Albright has graced the stage the world over with
many artists, such as pianists Jeff Lorber, George Duke, Joe Sample, Brian
Simpson, Brian Culbertson, Keiko Matsui, and David Benoit; guitarists Peter
White, and many more.
Sit back and enjoy this very special evening and the very first Albright Family
Christmas Tour! It will be filled with your favorite songs of the season,
enhanced with a very unique twist! This heavily anticipated tour includes an A-Team
of musicians to enhance the enjoyment factor. The Albrights look forward to celebrating
Christmas with you here at MCG Jazz.
Your favorite
seasonal songs done with an Albright Family twist will fill the evening. The
night will get merrier with the top-tier musicians joining the family on tour.