at Scottie's in New York
Feb 28, 2004

With an all-star cast of R&B Legends, Georgia Blues, Yellow Blues and upcoming Jazz singers, Tanyard filled Scottie's in New York. 
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The event was a Dinner Concert, featuring traditional Southern Cuisine catered by Crystal Caterers with New York and Maryland based chefs.  The doors opened at 7:00 PM and quickly filled with a combination of students and Blues aficionados, some coming from as far away as Japan.

The evening began with the incredible sounds of Imagine, a band lead by Nat West and composed of: Drummer, Eddie Brown; Guitar, Left-hand Randy; Sax, Joe Williams; Keyboard, Jimmie Hills; Bass, Chris Robinson; Conga, Abdus-Sabor. 

Adazeke Lynn Beville opened the vocalists performances with a "St. Louis Blues," a number performed in her world premiere production of Bessie Smith Blues.  Ninti, followed Adazeke's performance with numbers reminiscent of Blues Legend Billie Holiday, "God  Blessed the Child That's Got His Own," and "Good Morning Heartache." "  Her rousing vocals set the audience for the amazing blend of Blues and R&B to follow. 

Look for performances and more from these outstanding new artists on this site.

Tanyard continued the evening with a guest appearance vocalist by Tom Collins, who gave the evening a well grounded "down-home" blues feel singing "I Got to See You."  Nat West took the stage and the audience when he appeared in a black capped, red suit.  With a style evoking images of James Brown, Nat had the audience dancing in the aisles before the intermission.

After the dinner, Toya (playing keyboards) and his group Universal Groove took the stage and delivered a classic R&B Funk sound, performing such classics as "Sissy Strut."  Toya's ensemble , consisting of a tight Bass played by Tony Stevens and spectacular drums played by Sipho Kunene, established the mood for the R&B section of the evening.  Beverly Crosby, whose unique voice drew students from Japan, melted into the room as she was escorted from the rear of the audience to the stage.  Beverly masterfully took the room on a musical journey rendering such musical classics as "Didn't You Know You Have Cry Sometime," "All of Me," "Down Home Blues," "CC Rider," "Stormy Monday," and finished her performance with the crowd singing to "Gone Away."

The evening's highlight performance came from R&B Hall of Fame Legend Baby Washington who engaged the room with her chart topping hits including "The Time," "The Bells" and had the room singing to "Workout."  Baby Washington was backed up by Nat West and his band Imagine.