Wednesday Video Spotlight: Tulsa saxophonist Grady Nichols tours in support of new CD "Destinations," playing Charlie Christian Festival in Oklahoma City
Tulsa saxophonist Grady Nichols will be among the performers this week at the 27th Annual Charlie Christian International Music Festival in Oklahoma City. Along with jazz, blues, soul and hip-hop artists playing outdoor concerts Friday and Saturday, the festival features two historical exhibits, two jam sessions and a gospel show Sunday to close the event.
Nichols will perform Saturday at the festival, which he has played every years since at least 2004.
“I’ve got great memories of playing at Charlie Christian. I remember playing with Tom Braxton and then Wayman Tisdale came and sat in. That was a really cool moment. We’ve opened for George Benson, played with Kirk Whalum,” Nichols told me in a recent phone interview from Tulsa.
“We always come to the festival with something new … so this’ll be a completely new and different performance than what we did last year.”
Released April 30, his sixth album “Destinations” offers plenty of variety, bringing a jazzy, cosmopolitan energy with first single “London Baby!,” going country with “Tulsa” and channeling a reggae vibe with “Beachside.” The album also includes instrumental covers of Journey’s classic rock ballad “Faithfully” and Keith Urban’s country chart-topper “Only You Can Love Me This Way.”
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