Tahirah Memory Trio
Lisa Fischer
Ms. Lisa Fischer and her band Grand Baton first set out on tour in 2014, with no product to sell, no recordings or video to help book or promote shows, no t-shirts. Despite all that, based on Lisa’s reputation alone, they were invited to play in clubs, at the Newport and Monterey Jazz Festivals, and at concert halls all over the globe, winning accolades from critics, devotion from fans, and — always – invitations to return, soon.
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Their music is an organic gumbo of progressive rock, psychedelic soul, and African, Middle Eastern, Caribbean rhythms and classical influences. In performance, they re-invent songs by Led Zeppelin, Amy Grant, Little Willie John, and The Rolling Stones as well as Lisa’s originals. After decades bringing raw soul to the stage for The Rolling Stones, Sting, Tina Turner and Nine Inch Nails, Lisa is emerging as the most inventive and heartfelt interpreter of classic rock songs working today.
Lisa won her first Grammy for “How Can I Ease The Pain,” from her 1991 album So Intense. With a hit song on the radio and a Grammy win, a major solo tour seemed inevitable, but Lisa was on the road, backing either her beloved mentor Luther Vandross or The Rolling Stones. Lisa was a legend in the music industry; everybody loved her sound. But she never put her own band together, never toured under her own name. Now, after years of supporting other artists, electrifying the world’s largest arenas with the power of her voice, Ms. Lisa Fischer has finally taken center stage.
Now Lisa is exploring new territory. She is featured on new projects by Lang Lang, Yo-Yo Ma, Billy Childs, and recently collaborated with the Alonzo LINES Ballet. On tour with Grand Baton, Lisa continues to inspire rave reviews.
Tahirah Memory
Ever relevant singer/songwriter Tahirah Memory is a Portland, Oregon native. Raised by a willful, loving and resourceful mother, and shaped at an early age by the vibration and melodic hands of her jazz trumpeter father, Tahirah asserted her love for music extremely early in her childhood. Some of her fondest memories begin in her toddler years attending summer festivals in the parks to hear her father play funk, jazz, and soul music under the hot summer sun. Singing full voice in the empty hallways after school at age 8, to make use of the amazing acoustics, and reinventing music videos or creating showcases to perform for family became frequent occurrences. Listening to r&b vocalists on vinyl and emulating their every note, created a love undeniable for the classic love song. Tahirah knew very early singing on a larger platform would be her passion and dream. So, after pursuing academic endeavors, she began to write and sing.
Described as having “…a beautiful instrument, a truly warm and gorgeous sound…” audiences have been inclined to feel as though they come away from a performance post an intimate conversation rather than the crowded venue. One listener says there is a “…natural honest element…as though singing is an extension of her breathing.” The dynamic tones, soulful melodies and cryptic but honest references truly show Tahirah’s ability to relate to an audience using her voice to “…creatively and musically express feelings behind songs in ways that delight and surprise and move…” With fibers in a jazz-rooted father, a chaotic upbringing, an intense sense of feel, a love for old soul, an open ear for all music, and a respect for current rhythm and blues, Tahirah’s sound is unlike any other, sounding distinctly like her personal truth.”
personnel
Grand Baton
Lisa Fischer, vocals
JC Maillard, electric and acoustic guitar
Aidan Carroll, electric bass, keyboards
Thierry Arpino, drums
Tahirah Memory Trio
Tahirah Memory, vocalist
Damian Erskine, bass
Jarrod Lawson, keys/bg vocals
Tyrone Hendrix, drums
