'Uptown Soul Lounge' is Harlem's exciting new showcase for the best rising talent in soul music. February 26th marks the launch of this new series with performances by Brooklyn chanteuse Amma Whatt, Soho native and recent graduate of The New .School for Jazz and Contemporary Music Léla Sophia, and Harlem soulstress Carla G. Come and enjoy the soulful sounds of these rising NYC talents live in the intimate, speakeasy ambiance of Gin Fizz Harlem.
Event time: 8PM
RSVP here for $5 admission!
MORE ABOUT AMMA WHATT: Since the 2012 release of her debut EP "Maybe," Amma Whatt's artful fusion of r&b, world music, hip hop, and jazz has galvanized fans and critics regionally and positioned her at the top of the list of new indie r&b/jazz/soul favorites. SoulTrain.com says she's "...poised to take soul music to the next level..."
As an instrumental part of the Grammy-nominated songwriting team Big Drawz Music (Destiny’s Child, Emily King, etc.), Amma co-wrote “Just the Way You Are” for Kindred and The Family Soul. She's also worked with the Grammy nominated musician, Nate Smith, on his debut LP to pen songs for Gretchen Parlato, in addition to recording background vocals for Bilal's "Slipping Away."
From recording vocals for Homegoods TV-ads, to working with superstars such as Tyrese, Danity Kane, among others, and opening shows forCommon, Tweet, Glenn Lewis, and, more recently, Musiq Soulchild, Amma's lofty resume has kept her name in discussions of exciting, emerging NYC talent.
While life and new motherhood has kept Amma occupied as of late, she's all the more inspired and is working on new music for 2016.
More Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
MORE ABOUT LELA SOPHIA: Léla Sophia's art speaks not of timeless love or heartbreak, but of personal ruminations often overlooked by mainstream songwriters. With the recent release of her mellow love song "NeoB," the ethereal "Ordinary High," and the dynamic "Serenity/Love's Prayer," the young, undeniably gifted Neo-Soul/Jazz upstart has earned comparisons to Lianne La Havas, Emily King, and Coco of Quadron.
While Sophia was classically trained, her jazz vocal stylings were honed while attending the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, where she was taught and mentored by Chris Turner and classmates with singer James Tillman. Now a recent graduate from the university, Léla joins the ranks of fellow alumni Robert Glasper, Jesse Boykins III, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and more.
Her angelic voice overwhelmingly entrances, effortlessly dancing between complex chords and harmonies giving a sophisticated sound to neo-soul and R&B. Her performances marry the vocal styles of Nancy Wilson with modern artists like Yukimi Nagano of Little Dragon, pulling from her background in classical and jazz training.
More Info: Website | Facebook | Instagram
MORE ABOUT CARLA G: An adept jazz/soul singer/songwriter, Carla G. channels the ethos of your favorite old school jazz, Motown, and new age soul artists. Growing up an army brat, music was the one constant that carried her from Texas to Georgia, and then on to her home away from home, Tacoma, WA. Now based in Harlem, Carla performs as a part of a hip hop fusion band, LiKWUiDity, and has moved audiences in solo performances, masterfully covering her favorites such as Amy Winehouse and Natalie Cole.