Azure McCall

Azure McCall, storyteller
Hawaii’s first lady of jazz is a multi-award-winning vocalist.
She is heir to the vocal tradition of Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae, and Ella Fitzgerald.
Her warmth and sense of humor fuel every interpretation.
After releasing her first CD ‘Body and Soul’, she was asked by the great bassist, once married to Ella Fitzgerald, to be his vocalist on tour. His band consisted of Geoff Keezer, Kareem Riggins, Joe Lovano, Nicholas Peyton, and, of course, Ray Brown. She accepted, and it began an incredible jazz journey, school was in!
Soon after, Azure became the first singer for The Freddy Hubbard Band.
Azure performed for two years with the great Frank Morgan.
Azure has recorded three CDs: “Body and Soul”, “Harlem Notcurne”, and “The Gift.” Master pianist Tennyson Stephen, drums Jess Gopen, Bruce Hamada, bass, and Jim Howard, on additional keyboard. Her third CD included drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, bassist Alphonso Johnson, and guitarist Phil Upchurch.
Asked by Dizzy Gillespie to join him at what turned out to be his last, the Monterey Jazz Festival was an “aw” moment in my music career. In 2008, President Barack Obama asked her to perform at his pre-election party. That’s why he won Azure (smiling)
Azure became the ‘jazz diva’ for celebrity and royal Caribbean cruises, where she traveled to and performed in more than 50 countries.
Azure is excited to return home. to her place of birth, Berkeley, California, and give back to her community in Oakland and Berkeley, teaching at the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music and the Jazz School in Berkeley.