Juneteenth Show with Jeff Lofton Quartet and Donna Hightower Today at Central Market
Jazz trumpeter Jeff Lofton, a regular fixture at The Belmont on W. 6th St. and the Elephant Room on Congress, has tremendous respect and admiration for all the jazz greats who’ve helped shape American music. He has a deep appreciation for the songwriting that laid the foundation for the music he makes today.
“Jazz is the musical background for all American music,” Lofton said recently. “I want people to know that what they’re listening to now would not exist without Louis Armstrong, without Duke Ellington, without Miles (Davis). These people are directly responsible for R&B, for rock ‘n’ roll, for soul music.”
Lofton will play today with one of those legendary artists, who first began performing in the 1950′s and still performs today. Jazz and R&B singer Donna Hightower will join the Jeff Lofton Quartet for a Juneteenth African American Tribute show at the Central Market at 40th and N. Lamar.
“Lil’ Donna” Hightower is the little lady with the big voice who made several singles for Decca and RPM in the ’50s. She toured with artists like B.B. King and Louis Jordan, and spent much of her life in Europe performing in jazz clubs. In July 2005, she was the guest of honor at the IV Festival Internacional de Jazz in Spain.
Today’s show is one you won’t want to miss. Leave work early and get to Central Market, 4001 N. Lamar, by 6:30 p.m. Highly recommeded.
