Mix at Six

Jazzmeia Horn

Performances

Feb 2

Vocalist and composer Jazzmeia Horn has been praised by The New York Times as “among the most exciting young vocalists in jazz, with a proud traditionalism that keeps her tightly linked to the sound of classic figures like Nancy Wilson and Betty Carter, but with a vivacity of spirit and conviction that places her firmly in the present.”

For her Harris Theater debut in the Mix at Six series, the trailblazing performer presents new work from her forthcoming album, Messages, alongside songs from her GRAMMY Award-nominated 2021 record Dear Love. Horn is joined by an all-star jazz band featuring Sean Mason (piano), Jason Clotter (bass), Michael Reed (drums), Jason Marshall (baritone and tenor saxophone), and Josh Evans (trumpet).

Horn on Dear Love: “I tried to figure out how the songs can be in alignment with what's true to me and what's true in my reality as a Black woman, but then also be relatable to anyone who’s not part of my culture. I went through my list of charts and said, ‘OK, which of these songs really speaks to love in multiple ways—love for my community, love for my culture, love for my partner, love for my children, love for myself. Which one of these songs is going to speak on all of those different things?’ These songs are love letters to everyone.”

“Her tunes are so good, others are sure to try them on, but then they’ll have to sing them as well as Jazzmeia Horn does. Her interpretations set a standard of their own.” — NPR

Jazzmeia Horn
Jazzmeia Horn is a vocalist, composer, author, activist, educator, and multi-GRAMMY Award nominee. She is the winner of the 2015 Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition and the 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.

Dear Love, Horn’s most recent album, is a recording that brims with the combination of her assured delivery and spoken word segments, deft arrangements, and fiery musical ideas. Her first big-band album functions as a platform for her to showcase both her perception of the world and her endlessly unfolding talents. Horn adeptly interprets classics such as “He’s My Guy” and “Lover Come Back to Me,” in addition to highlighting her original work on songs including the slinky “Let Us (Take Our Time),” the subtle and intriguing “NIA,” and the appealing “Where Is Freedom!?” The album was nominated for a GRAMMY Award in the Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album category.

Horn’s first two albums, A Social Call and Love and Liberation, each garnered GRAMMY nominations in the Best Jazz Vocal Album Category. In his review of Love and Liberation, NPR jazz critic Kevin Whitehead said, “Her tunes are so good, others are sure to try them on, but then they’ll have to sing them as well as Jazzmeia Horn does. Her interpretations set a standard of their own.”