This Thursday evening, January 13th, we are treated to a double header of great live jazz performances with Descendre playing a happy hour show at the Rumba Cafe, followed by an evening with local jazz vocalist Rachel Sepulveda later that night at Dick’s Den.
Descendre has been turning heads in Columbus with their original jazz fusion compositions representing a modern interpretation of the kind of music you may have heard on film soundtracks from the 1970’s or early 80’s. Influenced by a wide range of artists like Weather Report, Third Dimension, Stanley Clarke, Return to Forever, Terje Rypdal, Jean Luc Ponte, John Pattitucci, & Dave Weckl, Descendre is a musical journey to be experienced. Descendre is Adam Smith on a wide variety of keys & synthesizers, Justin Campell on drums, and Jim Tussing on bass. Their Rumba Cafe performance begins at 6pm.
Rachel Sepulveda is a featured artist at many of the local music festivals such as the Columbus Jazz and Ribs Fest., 2009 and 2010, the Columbus Community Festival, 2008, and Red, White and Boom, 2007. In the past she has toured Europe fronting a full big band at both the Montreux and Umbria Jazz Festivals. She was also selected twice as the featured vocalist for the Ohio Music Educators Association All State Jazz Ensemble. Rachel makes frequent appearances with Vaughn Wiester’s “Famous Jazz Orchestra” and has performed with other professional artists such as pianist Mark Flugge, bassist Roger Hines, and saxophonist Wes “Warmdaddy” Anderson.
Rachel honors the historical traditions of jazz while spicing her style with R&B grooves and the sounds of Brazil. Just a few of the artists she credits to her influence include: Sarah Vaughan, Anita O’Day, Blossom Dearie, Bobby McFerrin, Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson, Roberta Flack, Elise Regina, Djavan, and Gal Costa.
Rachel performs Thursday night at 10pm over at Dick’s Den.