We first heard about Avis Harrell a few years ago. A whirling dervish of an artist, Avis began writing music as part of the sister group from Washington DC called The Fawns. She went on to become Ms. America Washington D.C., and later became a background singer, most notably with Ray Charles and Wayne Newton. She continued writing her own music and began a solo career, releasing both a number of singles and albums.
Avis has just released a new album called Avis Live! Featuring the Conservatoire Jazz Big Band, and it shows her versatility, as she covers a variety of styles. What hit us most was her work with a few blues standards, which she handles with real grit and authenticity. Her version of the Johnny Taylor hit “Still Called The Blues” is our latest SoulTracks First Listen. Check out her live performance below and tell us what you think.
Avis Harrell – “Still Called the Blues”
