Othella Dallas, “Lil' Gal from Memphis”
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Othella Dallas, vocals
Hannes Bürgi, piano
Urs Müller, guitar
Michael Chylewski, bass
Lukas Gasser, drums
Style: Vocal jazz
From: USA/ CH
Born in Memphis in 1925, Othella Dallas is still the vibrant “Little Girl from Memphis” she sings about in her latest CD, I Live the Life I Love. Eighty-three years old and at the peak of her career, Othella Dallas sings (and dances to) blues, gospel, jazz and Latin melodies in a very energetic, passionate, and charismatic way. She was discovered by iconoclast dance teacher Katherine Dunham and eventually became a permanent member of the prestigious Katherine Dunham dance company and a teacher at the Dunham School. She debuted as a singer in New York in the mid-1950s, appearing alongside such greats as Sammy Davis Jr., Duke Ellington, Sony Stitt, and King Curtis, to name just a few. Her career brought her to Switzerland, where she opened her own highly successful jazz ballet academy in Basel, continuing to sing at venues throughout Europe. During the late 1980s she enjoyed major success with her performances with one-time Woody Herman saxophonist Sal Nistico and his quartet. She amazed the crowd with her appearances with Slide Hampton and John Gordon.
Performing dates: June 24–26
Website:
http://www.myspace.com/othelladallasmusic
