Back to full Lineup

Vocal Gents of Jazz with Kenny Washington, Nicolas Bearde and Jamie Davis

Aug 13, Sunday - 5pm
PG&E Hammer Theatre Stage

Together, Kenny Washington, Nicolas Bearde and Jamie Davis are the Vocal Gents of Jazz. Having given memorable performances at Summer Fest in years past, they are teaming up for the very first time, offering individual and ensemble interpretations of the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Joe Williams.

Kenny Washington has thrilled audiences across the globe with his soulful interpretations, seemingly limitless range and inventive scatting. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington has performed with Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra, Gregory Porter, Paula West, Eric Reed and Roberta Gambarini. Born and raised in New Orleans, Washington grew up singing gospel in church and playing saxophone in school bands. Inspired by a performance featuring Wynton and Branford Marsalil, he studied music at Xavier University and sang in two different military bands after college, touring Asia, Russia, Australia, and the US for nine years.

Nicolas Bearde, influenced by Lou Rawls, Nat “King” Cole and Joe Williams, is an award-winning vocalist whose silky baritone sound, wit and engaging rapport draws audiences into his live performances across the globe. The Jazz Examiner says,”Bearde’s sophisticated, revelatory vocals are simply stunning in their bare essence.” ln a career that has spanned over 35 years, Bearde has earned a unique place in the contemporary male vocal jazz scene having performed, toured and recorded with jazz legends such as Nat Adderley, Jr., Vincent Herring, Eric Alexander and as an original member of Bobby McFerrin’s innovative a cappella ensemble, Voicestra. As an educator, Nicolas has worked with the California Jazz Conservatory and Living Jazz teaching vocal workshops and was the chair of Popular Voice for the Young Arts Foundation in Miami for 5 years.

Jamie Davis, a two-time Grammy Award nominee for All  About That Basie and Live at Birdland, has a compelling, full baritone voice and a passion for his craft that leaves his audiences uplifted and feeling good. A Count Basie alumni, he has been described as a fine wine that has stood the test of time, effortlessly innovating on classics from Cole Porter to Stevie Wonder. Globally acclaimed, Jamie has worked venues all over the world. ln the US, he has performed at Dizzy’s and the Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Blue Note New York, Playboy Jazz Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and across the San Francisco Bay Area at Summer Fest, Yoshi’s, SF Jazz, Palace of Fine Arts, Stanford’s Bing Auditorium, Jazz on the Plazz, and the Lesher Auditorium.

Kenny Washington has thrilled audiences across the globe with his soulful interpretations, seemingly limitless range and inventive scatting. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington has performed with Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra, Gregory Porter, Paula West, Eric Reed and Roberta Gambarini. Born and raised in New Orleans, Washington grew up singing gospel in church and playing saxophone in school bands. Inspired by a performance featuring Wynton and Branford Marsalil, he studied music at Xavier University and sang in two different military bands after college, touring Asia, Russia, Australia, and the US for nine years.

Nicolas Bearde, influenced by Lou Rawls, Nat “King” Cole and Joe Williams, is an award-winning vocalist whose silky baritone sound, wit and engaging rapport draws audiences into his live performances across the globe. The Jazz Examiner says,”Bearde’s sophisticated, revelatory vocals are simply stunning in their bare essence.” ln a career that has spanned over 35 years, Bearde has earned a unique place in the contemporary male vocal jazz scene having performed, toured and recorded with jazz legends such as Nat Adderley, Jr., Vincent Herring, Eric Alexander and as an original member of Bobby McFerrin’s innovative a cappella ensemble, Voicestra. As an educator, Nicolas has worked with the California Jazz Conservatory and Living Jazz teaching vocal workshops and was the chair of Popular Voice for the Young Arts Foundation in Miami for 5 years.

Jamie Davis, a two-time Grammy Award nominee for All  About That Basie and Live at Birdland, has a compelling, full baritone voice and a passion for his craft that leaves his audiences uplifted and feeling good. A Count Basie alumni, he has been described as a fine wine that has stood the test of time, effortlessly innovating on classics from Cole Porter to Stevie Wonder. Globally acclaimed, Jamie has worked venues all over the world. ln the US, he has performed at Dizzy’s and the Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Blue Note New York, Playboy Jazz Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and across the San Francisco Bay Area at Summer Fest, Yoshi’s, SF Jazz, Palace of Fine Arts, Stanford’s Bing Auditorium, Jazz on the Plazz, and the Lesher Auditorium.