About the Project

Jon Hendricks: Vocalese Jazz Messenger is a musical tribute to Jon Hendricks, jazz vocalist, lyricist and American Jazz Master, featuring two components.  The first featured the presentation of a German film documentary, Blues March: Soldier Jon Hendricks, which provided a historical context to Mr. Hendricks experience in France during WWII.

The second featured a live music performance by James Zimmerman with an instrumental ensemble and two vocal groups comprised of vocalists from the DC area.  The live performance showcased Hendricks lyrical creations and vocal arrangements based on solo instrumentalists, and vocal interpretations, multi-harmony parts originally performed by the legendary vocal trio—Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross of big band, performed by DC’s Cloudburst, featuring James Zimmerman, Stephanie Lebow, Jerry Overman, and led by pianist Wayne Wilentz. 

The second group, The Four, features James Zimmerman Reggie Upshaw, Clynt Hyson, and Reginald Moore.  The performance took place at the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum.