The Jazz Foundation of West Tennessee presents a tribute to legends Sarah Vaughn and John Coltrane on September 21st, 7 pm, at the Ned R. McWherter Cultural Arts Center in Downtown Jackson, Tennessee. The concert features vocalist Jamille “Jam” Hunter and saxophonist Don Aliquo. Hunter will perform from her CD “Sassy Returns,” a tribute to Sarah Vaughn, and Aliquo will play John Coltrane 1961, a year that was instrumental in the development of the now-icon jazz musician.

JAMILLE “JAM” HUNTER is a Michigan-born, Memphis-based jazz and soul singer-songwriter who is making her mark on the music scene with her mesmerizing vocals and contemporary approach to classic and modern jazz. With years of gigging in the R&B and soul arena under her belt and previous classical training, Jam began to train intensively as a jazz vocalist in Los Angeles at the world Stage of Leimert Part. Practicing technique under the guidance of drummer Billy Higgins, bassists Al McKibbon and Kevin O’Neal and pianist Dini Clark, she fell in love with jazz and never looked back. Seeking an international experience, she left Los Angeles and hit the state in Nagoya, Japan, where she honed her craft as the lead vocalist at the Stardust Jazz Lounge. Recently, Jam released her live recorded CD titled “Sassy Returns: The SV Project.” This tribute to the late, great Sarah Vaughn was a credit to Jam’s greatest inspiration. Jam, along with her band, Mood Swing, has performed at the River Arts Fest, The On Location International Film and Music Festival, The black Arts Fest, the Memphis International Jazz Festival and the Soulsville Music Fest, in addition to numerous clubs and venues.

DON ALIQUO was born in Pittsburgh on May 10th, 1960. His father, a proud Italian, hooked his son on jazz at an early age, including John Coltrane’s Giant Steps (“Coltrane was my main inspiration”) and Sonny Rollins classics, including “Strode Rode” and “Pent-Up House.” He has muis degrees from Duquesne University as well as the Berkelee College of Music and has performed with such greats as Greg Osby, Marvin Stamm, Roger Humphries, Eddie Harris, George Benson, Stanley Turrentine and others. Aliquo has recorded six CDs, has taught in China, Columbia, and Spain, and is currently on the faculty at Middle Tennessee State University as a professor of music.

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