KlezCalendar

Jazz vocalist Claire Dickson turns 15 this month and celebrates with a performance at Flora Restaurant on Jan.19, 7:00pm. Winner of the national Downbeat Magazine Student Jazz Award for Junior High School jazz vocals, Claire released her first recording this last year to great critical acclaim. Performing with her is Michael McLaughlin, piano; and Greg Loughman, bass. Claire is a remarkable vocalist, regardless of age, and has been turning heads with gigs at Ryles, Amazing Things Arts Center, Highland Jazz and at Jordan Hall.

Claire, effortlessly spins off tunes by Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Gershwin, and others, material that almost any singer would find daunting. But she more than just sings the tunes, she has emerged as a remarkable improviser and reinterpreter, scatting wordless Charlie Parker tunes, Improvising on standards like “I’ve Never Been In Love Before” and showing a deep sense of the blues on “Black Coffee.”

Claire is growing up in a musical family- her father is clarinetist Glenn Dickson of Shirim Klezmer Orchestra and Naftule’s Dream and her brother Eric McDonald performs in area folk bands including Matching Orange and Jaded Mandolin. Claire became active in the Boston theater scene at a young age, performing with the Reagle Players, soloing in many Revels productions, and the New Repertory Theatre.

Claire will be performing with pianist Michael McLaughlin, composer and teacher at Tufts University who has performed at the Berlin Jazz Festival, New York Jazz Festival and the Bell Atlantic Jazz Festival with Naftule’s Dream; and bassist Greg Loughman, who has performed with Curtis Fuller, Sheila Jordan, and Ray Santisi.

“It is simply amazing, Dickson’s melody and improvisation sense at such a young age.”—Will Sostre, Jazz Times (US)

“She is without question a singer to look out for, not just now but for the next several decades… Claire displays startling maturity of purpose and understanding.”—Bruce Crowther, Swing2Bop.com, Jazz Journal (UK)

“This 14-year-old jazz vocal phenom does not sing silly songs! … She has the courage to share her dream, the attitude of a seasoned professional and she must be applauded and encouraged for the pride, joy of spirit, infectious enthusiasm and tremendous talent which she has brought to a monumentally challenging task. She is a talent to watch, and as her voice matures, only the sky can limit what she can achieve as a jazz vocalist.”—C.J.Bond, Jazmusic.com