GERALD ALBRIGHT

Gerald Albright brings his saxophone-and-bass-driven contemporary R&B and smooth jazz sound to the Birchmere. A Grammy-nominated solo artist and longtime session and touring musician, Albright is known for charting albums, radio hits, all-star tours, and collaborations with artists such as Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, Norman Brown, Dave Koz, Phil Collins, and Jonathan Butler.

Albright began as a saxophonist before switching to bass after seeing Louis Johnson perform. He later toured with Patrice Rushen and became a sought-after 1980s session and touring musician, working across jazz, R&B, gospel, pop, and urban contemporary music. His solo career began with *Just Between Us* in 1987, followed by albums including *Smooth*, *Groovology*, *Kickin’ It Up*, and *Sax for Stax*. His Grammy-nominated albums *Pushing The Envelope* and *Slam Dunk* were followed by notable collaborations including *24/7* with Norman Brown and Dave Koz and Friends’ *Summer Horns*. His performances are built around varied textures, rhythms, chord progressions, and moods rather than a single easy-to-define category.

When: October 16

Showtimes: 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $59.50; $75.80 through Ticketmaster or $66.50 at the Birchmere Box Office

Featured artist: Gerald Albright

Background: Albright is a Grammy-nominated saxophonist, bassist, solo artist, and session musician who has performed with Anita Baker, Ray Parker Jr., Atlantic Starr, The Temptations, Maurice White, Les McCann, Teena Marie, the Winans, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, Norman Brown, Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, Richard Elliot, and Jonathan Butler.

Venue: The Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22305

Box office: Tickets are also available at the Birchmere Box Office on nights when the venue has a show, from 5–9 p.m.

Contact: 703-549-7500; birchmere@birchmere.com

Artist website: geraldalbright.com/home/