Theron and Tom are backstage with vocalist Evelyn Wright and drummer Robert Hubbard Jr. talking about the rich history of jazz music in Akron and Cleveland in the first of a two-part series.
In Akron, legends like Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles would perform at the Palace theater before heading to Howard Street, where fans waited at clubs such as the hi hat, the Green Turtle, and the Cosmopolitan. The entertainers would then stay overnight at the Mathews Hotel.
In Cleveland, those same performers would play at such clubs as the Tia Juana, the Loop Lounge, Winston Willis’ Jazz Temple, Val’s on the Alley, the Cotton Club and the Theatrical.
Evelyn and Rob share their stories as we recapture some of the history of that era.
Vocalist Evelyn Wright has been a professional singer for more than three decades with experience in jazz, R&B and pop. A native of Cleveland, Evelyn won the 1993 award for Most Promising Female Artist and Favorite Female R&B singer from Midwest Urban Music. Her recordings include a live performance with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra at the Bop Stop. Wright has toured throughout the United States and Canada, performing in top hotels, nightclubs and concert halls. (Learn more about Evelyn here.)
Drummer Robert Hubbard Jr. is known for his diverse style of music consisting of jazz, gospel, R&B and rock. A Cleveland native, Robert began to play drums in his father's church at the age of 5. During his junior and senior years in high school, he was recognized at the Tri-C Jazz Fest as the top high school jazz drummer in the state of Ohio. Robert began his music career playing with local artists throughout Greater Cleveland, and his first major tour began in 1993 with R&B group Men At Large. His touring and performing career has consisted of playing with numerous jazz and gospel artists, as well as playing as the opening act with his bad, Moments Notice. (Learn more about Robert here.)
