Thursday 11/6, 6-9 PM | Cocktails and Jazz - Two Shows: 1 - Drorester Alexander and 2 - Nicole Smith

Cocktails and Jazz: Nicole Smith and Guest Musician Drorester Alexander
Date: Thursday, November 6
Time: 6:00-9:00 PM

Artists Dave Fox (piano), Neill Clegg (saxophone, clarinet and flute) and Matt Kendrick (double bass) will be joined by guest vocalists, who cover the Great American Songbook, jazz classics including swing...and modal classics from the late '50s to early '60s, as well as Brazilian jazz from the early '60s. No cover charge!

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O.Henry Jazz Package
Take advantage of the O.Henry Jazz Series Package, which includes one night's gracious accommodations, limited preferred seating at O.Henry jazz in the Social Lobby and $50 dining credit. Blackout dates apply. Please note that we are only able to hold limited preferred seats for packages up until 6:30 PM (on Thursdays) and 7:30 PM (on Select Saturdays), after that time, seating in the lobby will be first come, first serve. Package available only on our Jazz nights.

BOOK ONLINE (Thursdays) Some blackout dates apply.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Nicole Smith

Nicole Smith is a versatile singer with a range of songs as diverse as her background. Her style ranges from jazz standards and popular songs, to classical arias and gospel music.

Nicole has performed with civic choirs such as CORO! (not just another chorus), under the direction of the late Dr. John-Scott Moir, sharing the stage with Barbara DeMaio Caprilli, former Prima Donna of The La Scala Opera in Milan; and Exultate!, including the recording "Joy to the World", a collection of Christmas music, and excerpts from Handel's Messiah. As a musical theater performer, Nicole was cast to play the role of Sophie Tucker in The Black Orchid: The Josephine Baker Story, in 2009 for the Urban Spectrum Theater Company. She has also performed with Broadway artists such as Eugene Fleming, Billy Johnstone, Peggy O'Connell, Kerry Casserly, Chrissy Whitehead, and Stephanie Zimbalist.

Nicole studied voice at Mankato State University, under Dr. Diana Moxness, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree. She continued her studies with Vocal Instructor, Susan Kosel (Minnesota Opera) at the Lundstrum Center for the Performing Arts in Minneapolis. She has also studied privately with Shannon Kessler Dooley (Metropolitan Opera).

Nicole has performed as a soloist with The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra and served as Principal Soprano at various churches for 12 years. She was a featured performer at the City of Wilmington's 275th Anniversary celebration, and she performed monthly at Ted's Fun on the River for seven years.

In 2015, she was finalist in WILMA Magazine's Women to Watch feature.

She currently serves as Director of Marketing and Public Relations for The Carolina Theatre.

Drorester O. Alexander II
Drorester O. Alexander II, is a Jazz pianist from Charlotte, North Carolina. He began his musical journey as a percussionist in the 5th grade and found his love for piano at the age of 11. Drorester graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a BA in Music. He also attended North Carolina Central University as a graduate student in Jazz studies/piano performance. He studied under jazz professor Ed Paolantonio, artist in residence Joey Calderazzo (pianist) and artist in residence Branford Marsalis (saxaphonist).
Drorester is currently a music educator in Guilford County Schools. He stays active in the community as a volunteer jazz pianist in The Greensboro Big Band, Titus Gant Quartet, Roberto and Friends and serves as the pianist for other bands in the surrounding areas including his own Alexander AllStars.
Drorester's music is solidified with a jazz sound influences of classical embellishments and improvisations that speak to the soul. He is an advocate for advancing music in America as well as around the World. His favorite music quote is "Music of the mind tingles, music of the heart fulfills" by Michael A. Washington.

Category: Live Music | Jazz