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The following issued on behalf of the Provisional Urban Council:

Jazz fans can expect to have an enjoyable evening if they attend the concert by the living legend jazz saxophonist James Moody, vocalist Vanessa Rubin and the Jeremy Monteiro trio at the City Hall Concert Hall on June 17.

American-born Moody will start off the concert by playing his saxophone with the fluidity, deep resonance and wit that have made him one of the most consistently expressive and enduring figures in modern jazz. Then, jazz vocalist Rubin will sing with her dynamic voice that her smooth, fearless delivery conjures warm, vivid images of a crimson sunrise. In the last session, Monteiro, Singapore's "King of Swing", Brian Benson (bass) and Tama Goh (drum) will jam with Moody and Rubin, reaching the climax of the concert.

James Moody fell under the spell of the deeper, more full-bodied tenor after hearing Buddy Tate and Don Byas perform with the Count Basie Band at the Adams Theatre in New Jersey. He stated that "everytime I put the horn in my mouth, I don't hold back. I always do my best".

Moody joined a seminal bebop big band of Dizzy Gillespie in 1947 and was well-known by playing 16-bar solo on Gillespie's "Emanon". He recorded with trumpeter Howard McGhee and vibraphonist Milt Jacksoon for Dial Records in the same year, and one year later he made his recording debut as a leader .

In 1949, Moody recorded the masterpiece of improvisation in Europe that made him renowned. In 1951 he worked frequently with vocalist Dinah Washington and Eddie Jefferson. In 1985, his career received a boost with a Grammy Award nomination for "Best Jazz Instrumental Performance" for his playing on Manhattan Transfer's "Vocalese" album.

Dubbed one of the Divas Nouvelles by Essence Magazine, Vanessa Rubin's first album was cited by the Gavin Report as one of the best jazz albums in 1992 and her fourth album reached number one on the Gavin Report in 1996 as her previous two albums did.

Her debut performance was at Carnegie Hall where she participated in a tribute to Erroll Garner. She also appeared at the first International Jazz Festival in Thailand.

Critically-acclaimed Jeremy Monteiro was praised "one of the best exponents of Jazz Piano" by Swing Magazine of Switzerland in 1988. In the same year, he performed with his other band, Monteiro, Young & Holt alongside jazz greats Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and George Duke as well as the Yellow jackets at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival where he received a standing ovation from the 3,000 people there. The concert was telecast live throughout Europe as well as Britain, Australia and received extremely favourable reviews in European newspapers.

In 1992, he achieved another landmark in his career when he performed at the famed Budokan Hall in Tokyo in front of 7,000 people with trumpeter Terumasa Mino who is Asia's most respected jazz musician.

Monteiro has performed and/or recorded with James Moody, Michael Brecker, Lee Ritenour, Herbie Mann, Paulinho DaCosta, Ernie Watts, Charlie Haden and Simon and Garfunkel.

Presented by the Provisional Urban Council, tickets at $220, $150 and $100 are now available at URBTIX outlets with half-price concession for senior citizens, the disabled and full-time students.

For reservation, please call 2734 9009 and programme enquiries: 2734 2929.

End/Monday, May 18, 1998

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