JOURNEYWOMAN
Release Date: SEPTEMBER 8, 2023
“ Lenora Zenzalai Helm has crafted a real touchstone in her creative arc, engaging her performing skills & keen eye for great songs, and her wealth of experience as a vocal educator.”
The 2020 release by Lenora Zenzalai Helm & Tribe Jazz Orchestra® “For the Love of Big Band” is the
critically acclaimed, crowd-funded recording of a woman-led big band of women and men;
a live concert recorded in a historic church in Durham, NC.
Lenora Zenzalai Helm is a jazz vocalist, big band bandleader, composer, arranger, lyricist and educator
with seven solo recordings, her own recording and publishing company, Zenzalai Music,
and an extensive discography with some of the biggest names in jazz.
“Old School is what singer Lenora Zenzalai Helm & The Tribe Jazz Orchestra’s For The Love of Big Band is. As with all classic big band recordings of this magnitude blues drenched in the sound of soul, outfitted with tried and true standards, imbued by social commentary and scat, leaning into the beauty of Coltrane spiritualism makes this hand’s down one of the finest releases of the year.”
“For The Love of Big Band” by Lenora Zenzalai Helm and Tribe Jazz Orchestra documents an historic occasion of sensational Jazz performance with outstanding musicianship and arrangements.”
“ Lenora Zenzalai Helm and the Tribe Jazz Orchestra”s “For The Love Of Big Band” captures the spirit, the soul and the roots of a beloved jazz tradition called Big Band. In this lush and live recording, there is a respectful tribute paid to the joyful music of a large ensemble through the sensational storytelling vocals of Helm combined with the powerful and rich performance by the Tribe Jazz Orchestra to the music of Coltrane, Ellington, Gillespie, Ella, Nina and more. ”
“Ms. Helm has not only brought the BIG BAND tradition into a new direction, but proves that women in jazz are amongst the best of the music and industry. “For the Love of Big Band” album demonstrates high velocity musicianship from the Tribe Jazz Orchestra, and Lenora’s stellar arrangements showcase a top-notch performance that is sure to continue the well-deserved acclaim.”
photo by Tanisha Walker for In God’s Image Makeup Artistry and Photography
photo by Tanisha Walker for In God’s Image Makeup Artistry and Photography
“I’ve been following Lenora Zenzalai Helm’s career for many years. She wows live and her new album of Big Band swing is fascinating. Her best is her live version of the classic Sandu, with her smooth vocal delivery and her orchestra, the Tribe Jazz Orchestra reminds you of the great jazz era of yesteryear.”
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
Grateful to be on the ballot for your consideration in the first round voting for the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards®
Lenora Helm Hammonds, Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals, the selection is: Rio Dawn from North Carolina Central University's Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
If you are a voting member of the Recording Academy I respectfully ask for your consideration for our submission.
#FORYOURCONSIDERATION
THANK YOU!
I Love Myself When I'm Laughing
Release Date: 2011
An impassioned and impressive core rhythm section lay down a sensitive and swinging magic carpet for Helm to soar, she works her moving velvet soprano as it weaves its spell – forged in the aching embers of Billie Holiday and Abbey Lincoln.
Lenora Zenzalai Helm, vocals; Ryan Hanseler, piano; Lance E. Scott, Jr., bass; Larry "Q" Draughn, J., drums; Brian Horton, soprano sax; Michael Hanna, guest vocals on A Conversation with God (Dear Lord). Background vocals: Courtney Bailey, Jabril Graves, Michael Hanna, Candace Hudson, Samantha Williams, Gabrielle Simmons-Wright.
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Chronicles of a Butterfly
Release Date: 2008
Classic, Traditional Mainstream Jazz Vocals with Trio of Piano, Acoustic Guitar & Acoustic Bass.
Lenora Zenzalai Helm, vocals; Mulgrew Miller, piano; Neal Caine, acoustic bass; Doug Wamble, guitar; John E. Price, bass; Rob "Wacko" Hunter, recording, mixing, mastering engineer, Recorded live at Hayti Heritage Church, Durham, NC. Produced by Branford Marsalis.
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Precipice
Release Date: 2002
Classic, traditional jazz vocals accompanied by jazz trio of acoustic piano, acoustic bass, drums and solo trumpet and flugelhorn.
Lenora Zenzalai Helm, vocals; Stanley Cowell, piano; Tarus Mateen, bass; Nasheet Waits, drums; Duane Eubanks, trumpet.
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I Love Myself When I'm Laughing - Single
Release Date: 2011
Want an uplifting song that is powerful, spiritual and has an unforgettable lyric? "I Love Myself When I'm Laughing" grabs hold and never lets go! Recorded after a SRO crowd raced to purchase THIS song after the concert!
Lenora Zenzalai Helm, vocals; Ryan Hanseler, piano; Lance E. Scott, Jr., bass; Larry "Q" Draughn, J., drums; Brian Horton, soprano sax; Michael Hanna, guest vocals on A Conversation with God (Dear Lord). Background vocals: Courtney Bailey, Jabril Graves, Michael Hanna, Candace Hudson, Samantha Williams, Gabrielle Simmons-Wright.
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Voice Paintings
Release Date: 2003
"A multi-hued masterpiece," - Christopher Loudon, JazzTimes Magazine
"Lenora imbues these tracks with a haunting beauty and adventurousness"- Bill Milkowski
Brandon McCune, piano; Dwayne Burno, bass; Nasheet Waits, drums; Duane Eubanks, trumpet; Antonio Hart, alto sax; Abraham Burton, tenor; Marlon Saunders, (arranger on A Flower is a Lovesome Thing). Produced by David Eyges.
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Spirit Child
Release Date: 1999
Lenora Zenzalai Helm, vocals; Donald Brown, piano; Ron Carter, bass; Miriam Sullivan,(Mimi Jones) acoustic bass; Antonio Hart, alto sax; Mark Gross, alto sax; Dave Liebman, soprano sax; Abraham Burton, tenor sax; Branford Marsalis, tenor sax; Orrin Evans, piano; Nasheet Waits, drums; Cecilia Smith, vibraphone; Jiro Yoshida, guitar; Kahlil Kwame Bell, percussion; background vocals by Sepia: Marlon Saunders, Arif S. Michael, Rosa Russ, Lenora Zenzalai Helm. Produced by Donald Brown
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Discography
Donald Brown: People Music
Released on Muse Records
Piano and leader: Donald Brown | Vibes: Steve Nelson | Drums: Samarai Celestial | Bass: Bob Hurst | Percussion: Daniel Sadownick | vocal: Lenora Zenzalai Helm
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Antonio Hart: Amu tu Sonrisa
Released on Enja Records
Saxophonist and leader: Antonio Hart | Piano: Kevin Hays | Drums: Camille Garner | Bass: Richie Goods | Vibraphone: Steve Nelson | Sax: Yosvany Terry | Drums: Renato Thoms Drums: Nasheet Waits | Vocal: Lenora Zenzalai Helm, Claudia Acuna
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Sepia: Absence of Pain
Released on Black Honey Records
co-leaders; Vocal: Lenora Zenzalai Helm, Rosa Russ, Marlon Saunders, Arif St. Michael
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Andrew Hill Jazzpar Octet +1: The Day The World Stood Still
Andrew Hill - piano and leader | acoustic bass - Scott Colley | drums - Nasheet Waits | alto sax/clarinet/bass clarinet - Peter Fugelsang | soprano sax/baritone sax/clarinet/bass clarinet - Liudas Mockūnas | Tenor sax/Clarinet - Thomas Ageraard | Trumpet - Staffan Svensson | Tuba/Bass Trombone - Klaus Lohrer
Vocal: Lenora Zenzalai Helm
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Marlon Saunders: Enter My Mind
Released on Black Honey Records
Voice and leader: Marlon Saunders
Vocals: Lenora Zenzalai Helm, Rosa Russ, Arif St. Michael
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Donald Brown: Cause and Effect
Piano: Donald Brown | Bass: Ron Carter | Drums: Carl Allen | Drums: Kenny Washington | Flute: James Spaulding | Vocals: Marlon Saunders, Lenora Helm, Donald Eaton | Percussion: Rudy Bird | Tenor sax: Joe Henderson
Vibraphone and Marimba: Steve Nelson
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David Liebman:
Liebman Plays Puccini: A Walk in the Clouds
Personnel: Phil Woods, Tony Marino, Larry Fisher, Nancy Hambleton-Torrente, Matt Wilson, Vic Juris, Caris Visentin, Dane Richeson, Jamey Haddad, Sizao Machado, Phil Markowitz, David Liebman, Lenora Zenzalai Helm