Myrna Clayton here to thrill at Jazz in January

For regular patrons of the +233 Jazz Bar & Grill in Accra, the venue’s upcoming Jazz In January Festival would be a wonderful chance to savour the abilities of Myrna Clayton, a songwriter, flutist, bandleader, composer and arranger who brings all her gifts, including a magnificent voice,  to a concert.

Myrna Clayton will be on stage on January 4 for the first gig of the four-day bash. She has a unique skill of combining flavours from R&B, Soul, Blues, Rock and Pop. She’s been praised for the durable beauty of her voice.

 Like some other great Jazz singers, Myrna Clayton believes the voice is the first instrument. That’s why she so ably bends notes, extends phrases and substitutes words with scat singing that suits the mood of the moment and the flavour of the piece at hand.

 +233 has hosted some first-rate female singers from abroad over the years. They include Jen Staves from America; Mihi Matshingana, Sonti Ndebele and Pilani Bubu from South Africa and Joss Stone from England.  

 They might have won hearts at +233 but Myrna Clayton, the well-traveled American from Alabama, is poised to show why she is one of the widely respected singers proudly carrying the Jazz torch around the world today.

 Also on the January 4 bill are the Native Vibe duo of guitarist Bill Macpherson and bassist Nee Sackey and the GHJazz Collective of Bernard Ayisa (saxophone), Victor Dey Jnr. (piano) Frank Kissi (drums) and Gaddiel Amoah (bass). Both acts uphold the legacy of Jazz from their own perspectives and it should be fun being with them.

 January 5 is for producer, keyboardist, songwriter and arranger, Kevin Flournoy. He’s been in Ghana a couple of times recently and will host an edition of his ‘K-Flow Show’ that embraces talk and live music performances. One of his guests at +233 is the accomplished singer/songwriter, Lamont Dozier Jnr.

 Saxophonist/flutist Jeff Kashiwa will be in the house again on January 6 after his gripping gig there last July. He hopes to touch everyone with his smooth and soulful Jazz.

 The will be more great live music  with all the acts on January 7, alongside some barbecue, to round off  the Jazz In January event organized by the Ghana Jazz Foundation in partnership with +233.