ABOUT THE BAND
“Kahn states that “each of my albums features a wide range of styles...” and this new album continues in that tradition with LA songbirds Saputo, Starr and Lemmon voicing their interpretations of the jazz, blues, soul and R&B sounds contained in George Kahn’s Jazz & Blues Revue, a vocal jazz statement that begs to be heard. With great vocals, superb instrumentals and an exciting selection of music, this is vocal jazz at its best.”
George Kahn
Pianist and composer George Kahn is one of the few living jazz artists who captures the West Coast sound of the 1950’s and 60’s. Drawing inspiration from legendary figures like Dave Brubeck, Ramsey Lewis, Joe Sample, Vince Guaraldi, and Wynton Kelly, Kahn's music possesses a contemporary edge while staying true to the spirit of jazz.
His performances range from instrumental "hard-bop" bands to the vocal group Jazz & Blues Revue, featuring Courtney Lemmon, Gina Saputo and Crystal Starr.
Kahn's discography boasts a wide range of impressive works, including the chart-topping "DreamCatcher," released by the George Kahn Quartet in 2020. The impact of Kahn's music is not limited to the world of jazz, however. In addition to his ten albums, his compositions have been prominently featured in popular TV shows and advertisements.
Beyond his musical endeavors,Kahnis also a dedicated advocate for ending homelessness in Los Angeles. In 2012, the City of Los Angeles recognized his contributions with a Certificate of Recognition. Over the past decade, Kahn and his group have raised over $450,000 to support affordable supportive housing for the formerly homeless with PATH(People Assisting The Homeless). In both his music and his humanitarian efforts, George Kahn's talent and generosity are truly exceptional.
Now George and the Jazz & Blues Revue invite you to their HOLIDAY SOIREE, an album of jazz and blues holiday tunes to brighten your holiday season for 2024.
✶ The Vocalists ✶
Crystal Starr, Gina Saputo, Courtney Lemmon
✶ The Vocalists ✶ Crystal Starr, Gina Saputo, Courtney Lemmon
COURTNEY LEMMON
Courtney Lemmon is highly in demand in the Southern California music scene, whether she is performing at jazz clubs, studio sessions or packed yacht rock shows, her voice is instantly recodnizable. Showcasing her charismatic performances, she enchants audiences with her strong satin soprano vocals in any style. Hailing from Santa Monica, California, her musical journey began early, with her first major performance at the age of 15 alongside renowned artists Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton.
Her education in music was shaped at Santa Monica College, where she crossed paths with the talented composer George Kahn before continuing to New School, in NYC. Lemmon has contributed her vocal talents to several of Kahn's albums, including "Compared To What?" released in 2006, and "Cover Up!" from 2008. This long-standing collaboration underscores her significant role in the contemporary jazz community, particularly in Los Angeles.
In addition to performing, Courtney Lemmon has dedicated herself to teaching, sharing her knowledge of vocal techniques at various educational institutions including at SantaMonica college where an adjunct professor. Her passion for music extends beyond the classroom, as she frequently appears as a solo artist internationally. Lemmon's distinctive voice and dedication to her craft continue to resonate within any genre, making her an artist to watch.
CRYSTAL STARR
Two-time award-winning recording artist, Crystal Starr, is the new POP-STAR Phenomena! “The Girl with the Golden Voice” has captivated audiences all over the world through her well-crafted brand. Her colorful visuals, powerful voice, and pop-feel-good aesthetic are thrillingly mesmerizing. Crystal’s fun and unique style has a modern-day twist to ‘80s and ‘90s pop music. Along with being a singer, songwriter, producer, CEO, philanthropist, and founder of Little Voices, Crystal Starr is an artist with music in her soul and purpose in her heart.
At only sixteen years of age and without a single voice lesson prior, Crystal landed her first professional gig singing for pop sensation Jessica Simpson. Since then, she has been unstoppable as she’s shared the stage with major artists like Ariana Grande, Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, John Legend, Paul Stanley, Drake, Lady Gaga, The Jacksons, Pitbull, Neo, and more.
She also had a starring role in the hit Broadway Show Baby It’s You. She recently headlined at the Electric Forest Festival 2022, attended by over 100,000 people, sharing the stage with String Cheese Incident. The powerhouse singer-songwriter has released three albums, and her second, album, #SHE, had two singles in the top 100 music charts. Coming off her latest hit single, “All Mine,” produced by Crystal Starr and Grammy Nominated producers Bizkit and Butta, which has been taking radio by storm, Crystal is set to release the next single, ‘Head Over Heels’, produced by Grammy Award winning producer Black Eyed Peas’ Keith Harris and Renard Hughes, off of her forthcoming album, Pop Starr, this August.
In 2011, after having seen first-hand the many hardships and disappointments foster kids endure, Crystal realized she could combine her passion for music and serving others to help represent those who feel they are voiceless. Crystal is the founder of Little Voices Nonprofit, which has impacted over 1 million young lives in foster care and inner city youth. As seen on tour, Crystal Starr’s powerful voice and high-energy dynamic stage presence continues to captivate her fans worldwide.
GINA SAPUTO
Gina is now an international jazz performer, college instructor, recording artist, session singer, model, actress and three time published author. She is currently finishing her 4th book, Vocal Technique for Songwriters, she was an adjunct professor at Santa Monica College and co-director of the Applied Music Program, taught full time in the Bachelors Department at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California, until her recent move to Portland, Oregon. In 2023 Gina released “Women Talk” EP, and in 2019 Gina released her latest full length record on CD and vinyl, Duetto, on Swingfest Records. It debuted at #4 on the Itunes Jazz Charts. Gina has a new full length record “Daydream” coming out 2025. She is also featured on Jeff Goldblum’s newest record which comes out November 1st on Decca Records. Her appearance on the album was announced on Billboard and Rolling Stone Magazine, amongst others. Gina has performed with Jeff Goldblum for 12 years as a special guest. Her performances with Jeff and his band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, include numerous performances at The Rockwell in Los Feliz, The Arroyo Seco Festival, Campbell Hall, The Wallis, 24 hours of reality with Al Gore, and 2 nights at The Blue Note Hawaii.
Gina has performed all over the world, including for the State Department in Washington, D.C., and toured Viet Nam with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Nnenna Freelon. Gina enjoyed 4 tours in Japan, her last with Grammy nominated pianist Bill Cunliffe. She has performed headlining tours in South Korea 5 times, in Oregon with pianist Benny Green, at Club Nokia at LA Live in Downtown LA, Savannah Jazz Festival with Doc Handy, The Discovery Series in Jacksonville, Florida, with John Lumpkin and the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival, She recently taught in Beijing, China, for a music camp and continues to teach clinics as a guest speaker and adjudicate jazz festivals all over the US.