Thursday Night Jazz: Delana Flowers Quartet Gives Flowers to Ernest McCarty (The Music of Dinah Washington)

Vocalist Delana Flowers returns to City of Asylum after a stunning concert last February to honor professional composer, musical director, performer, visual artist, and sculptor Ernest McCarty after his passing in December. McCarty’s artistic journey took him from the jazz clubs of Chicago’s South Side to the world’s grandest stages. A musician of versatility and grace, he was best known as the steadfast bassist for jazz legend Erroll Garner, with whom he toured the globe for seven years. In the early 1990s, McCarty settled in Pittsburgh, the city of his late bandleader, and wove himself deeply into its cultural fabric. Ernest served as a mentor to Delana and introduced her to the music of “Queen of the Blues” Dinah Washington.

“Dinah Washington was one of the most distinctive voices of the 20th century, comparable to Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. Despite her tragically short life, her career was prolific and star-studded” (Jumoké Fashola, Everything Jazz). In this tribute Thursday Night Jazz concert, Delana Flowers and her quartet honor both her late mentor and the inspiring Queen of the Blues herself. 

Featured musicians:

Delana Flowers: vocals

Owen Dougan-Bacha: keys

Dwayne Dolphin: bass

Andrew Kirk: drums

About the Artist:

Delana Flowers is a dynamic vocalist with a unique sound. Her energy and eclecticism fill every space of any room as she sings from her heart and soul to yours. Music and Miss Flowers have been inseparable since her church choir debut at age two. Like childhood friends who can’t bear to part, she and music have been growing together. As if being the daughter of a musician/preacher weren’t enough, her paternal side is full of musicians and singers, and her maternal side has been singing together in churches for years. Delana has graced stages all over this city and in her hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in musicals such as Ain’t Misbehavin, DINAH!, Queens of the Blues, Black Nativity, The Wiz, Mahalia Jackson: Standing on Holy Ground, and Little Shop of Horrors. She has been a featured artist on several recordings and with countless bands performing jazz, R&B, neo soul, Motown, and sacred music, among others. Since her move to Pittsburgh in 2006, she has been part of top-notch choirs, worship teams, and small ensembles all over the city. She has been singing lead and background with the fantastic BGVS since 2011. Acting and singing are not her only gifts. She is also a prolific writer with an English degree, a spoken-word artist, worship leader, and songwriter. This vocalist and thespian, among so many other things, shows no sign of slowing down.

About Your Visit: 

The in-house restaurant, Cucina Alfabeto, is open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Please visit OpenTable or call 412-435-1111 to make a reservation.