GUILFORD — Wendy's Jazz Soiree presents vocalist Samirah Evans with guitarist Anand Nayak on Sunday, July 17, at 6 p.m. at 2596 Tater Lane in Guilford.
Samirah Evans is known for her dynamic, soulful approach to jazz and blues, among other genres. Her style is heavily influenced by the New Orleans sound, where she was one of the city's most in-demand singers.
Hurricane Katrina caused Samirah to relocate to her husband's hometown of Brattleboro. Shortly after her arrival she assembled a band called Samirah Evans and Her Handsome Devils, which “developed a fine reputation throughout New England,” according to organizers. The band released a CD, Hot Club, in 2009.
Anand Nayak is a Grammy-nominated producer, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist living in Florence, Mass. Immersed in music at an early age, Nayak was a natural leader in youth choirs and in theater productions.
Building on years of classical piano, he turned to the guitar as a teenager with an equal love for acoustic and electric music. Nayak has been the guitarist for folk band Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem since 2000, performing all over North America on stages large and small.
Admission for the outdoor concert (bring your own lawn chair) is $15-$20 per person. For further information, call Wendy Redlinger at 802-254-6189.