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Jazz Nights in Overtown: Leesa Richards
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Enjoy an evening of smooth tunes and good vibes at the Historic Ward Rooming House on Friday, July 19, for Jazz Nights in Overtown: Leesa Richards. Set in the charming and historic ambiance of the Ward Rooming House, this event promises an unforgettable night filled with music and community.
Presented by Christopher Norwood, producer and founder of Hampton Art Lovers, in collaboration with Jazz Under A Simple Tree, and hosted by Miami’s First Lady of Jazz, Carole Ann Taylor, this performance is part of The Betsy’s Overture to Overtown Series. The night will feature singer/songwriter Leesa Richards, accompanied by the Ward Rooming House Band, including John Harden on keyboard, Renee Cruz on bass and Brandon Lewis on drums, along with spoken word artist Calvin Early.
A Detroit native, Leesa Richards started her career as a dancer on a world tour with pop icon Whitney Houston. Soon after, she combined her love for music and dance with the role of Mary Magdalene in the hit Broadway musical, Jesus Christ Superstar. Since then, Richards has performed and/or recorded with some of the biggest voices in the music industry such as Barbara Streisand, Lenny Kravitz, Faith Hill, The Bee Gees, Gloria Estefan and Carole King.
Jazz Nights at the Historic Ward Rooming House is more than just a concert; it's a celebration of culture and history. The venue itself, built by Shaddrack Ward in 1925, holds significant historical value for the early African-American community of Overtown. Restored and now serving as the Ward Rooming House Gallery, it operates under the curatorial direction of Christopher Norwood.