Spotlight Thursday: Lori Mechem Duo Session w/ Monica Ramey + Denis Solee

Pianist Lori Mechem presents the Duo Sessions in the Jazz Cave for Spotlight Thursday at the Nashville Jazz Workshop on Thursday, May 4th, 2023. This intimate performance is hosted by NJW co-founder Lori Mechem on piano, in duets with vocalist Monica Ramey and the legendary Denis Solee on saxophone. Each artist will perform a 40 minute duo set with Lori. The concert begins at 7:30pm CST (Doors at 7:00pm).

LIVE PERFORMANCE TICKETS ($35)

LORI MECHEM: A respected jazz pianist, composer and educator, Lori, along with her husband Roger Spencer, has lived in the Nashville area since 1988. In addition to directing production shows and conducting musical theatre, she has performed with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Red Holloway, Jimmy Smith, Cal Collins, Roy McCurdy, Terry Gibbs, Pete Christlieb, Edie Gorme, Bobby Militello, Kirk Whalum and Donna McElroy. A native of Anderson Indiana, Lori received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana.

Lori’s first CD, “Welcome to Brazil” was nominated for “Best Jazz Album of the Year” by the Nashville Music Awards in 1997. In 2003, Lori’s second CD, “Shiny Stockings, rose to #26 on the jazz charts. In 2005 she released a Brazilian Christmas album on Village Square Music. Since then she has released three more CD’s: “April in Paris” (a second Count Basie album), “The Dream of Life” (original meditation music), and “Return to Ipanema.”

MONICA RAMEY: Monica studied Music Performance at Indiana State University and was a member of the ISU Jazz Singers. In 2000, she moved to Nashville to pursue her singing career, where she discovered the Nashville Jazz Workshop. NJW has given Monica the opportunity to study under some of Nashville finest musicians including Lori Mechem, Roger Spencer, Sandra Dudley, Beegie Adair, Jeff Steinberg, Rod McGaha, Jim Ferguson, Roy Agee, Annie Sellick as well as create a family away from home.

DENIS SOLEE: Multi-reed player/saxophonist Denis Solee has lived in Nashville since 1974. Interested and skilled in all types of music, he has played in military bands, symphony orchestras, Broadway shows, big bands, and small groups. He has appeared on radio, TV, films, and recordings for artists from Ray Stevens to Ray Charles; Mel Tillis to Mel Torme; Louis Bellson, Sammy Davis, Jr., Sarah Vaughn, Amy Grant, Liberace, Aretha Franklin…. and the list goes on. While he makes a living playing virtually all types of music, Denis in the last few years has focused more on his major interest: big bands and small jazz ensembles. Denis has 4 of his own albums on the Green Hill Music label and just recently released his newest CD – “Sinatra on Sax” for Village Square Music. Denis teaches ensembles at The Nashville Jazz Workshop, and is responsible for the transcriptions and arrangements performed by these ensembles.

Policies: The Jazz Cave is a BYOB establishment, with no alcohol or food service. You are free to bring alcoholic beverages and snacks. We sell soft drinks and bottled water. The Jazz Cave is a listening room, and we ask patrons to keep conversation to a minimum and silence cell phones. Audio and video recording is prohibited. TICKET SALES ARE FINAL. We do not issue refunds. Masks are recommended for all patrons.

A portion of profits from Nashville Jazz Workshop Digital Concerts (if streaming) go to the NJW Artist Fund. The Artist Fund is used to help support and create performance opportunities for area Jazz artists, bringing more Jazz to the community and paying artists for their work.