Althea Rene

Jeannette Harris

On Sunday February 26th, this year’s CNY Jazz Black History Month Cabaret will raise the roof of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown’s Finger Lakes Ballroom with a 5:00 pm concert performance by Althea Rene and Jeanette Harris. George Kilpatrick, media pioneer and community affairs activist will be honored with the 2023 Pioneer Public Service Award.

$35 advance sale tickets include a free buffet and are now available at https://www.cnyjazz.org/tickets/

The event is a return engagement for Althea Rene, Detroit-born flutist, paired with saxophonist Jeanette Harris, dubbed the “Queens of Soul Jazz” in a rare all-female smooth jazz double bill. Rene is well-known to area jazz fans as a Motown music legacy, daughter of Dezie McCullers of the original Funk Brothers, the group that played for many Motown groups from the late 1950s through the 1970s. Harris, a native of Fresno California, is an instrumentalist and songwriter, having co-written hits with Norman Brown and Gerald Albright, with international touring experience with the legendary Teena Marie. Both artists log thousands of miles annually, appearing in festivals and clubs worldwide.

“This by far the most groundbreaking duo we’ve ever presented to honor Black History Month and the powerful legacy of Black America’s music,” offered Larry Luttinger, CNY Jazz founder and leader. “Rene and Harris are pioneers in every way as jazz instrumentalists, singers, and songwriters, inspiring a new generation who thought it couldn’t be done. They’re already stars, and will become superstars in soul jazz for the 21st century. Come see history in the making for yourself.”

 Brackens Financial Solutions Network, LLC sponsors the event for the 15th year, with additional support from National Grid, Wegmans, WAER, UAW Region 9-NY, Visions Federal Credit Union, and others.

CNY Jazz supporters Bill and Nancy Byrne have again graciously underwritten the buffet for the event, offered at no extra cost to all attendees.