Experience the Spellbinding Jazz Grooves of 3 Talented Teachers’ Combo in Albany – Unforgettable Musical Journey!

In the late afternoon of the 21st annual Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival on Saturday, three women will take the stage carrying string instruments, which may raise some eyebrows from the uninitiated in the crowd. No rhythm section. No horns.

But once the String Queens jump into the first tune, minds will likely be changed and a musical adventure will begin that will touch on jazz compositions, pop tunes, classical pieces and more, played with passion and dexterity and tinged with soul.

The group, consisting of Kendall Isadore on violin, Dawn Johnson on viola, and Elise Sharp on cello, have been captivating audiences at jazz festivals since their formation in 2017. Their music has taken them to prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, as well as a special performance dedicated to Vice President Kamala Harris at the “We Are One” presidential inauguration concert in January 2021. Based in Washington, D.C., the String Queens are breaking boundaries and redefining the possibilities of string instruments.

In addition to their impressive accomplishments, the String Queens also performed in a promotional commercial for ESPN’s coverage of the Wimbledon tennis championships in 2021. With their diverse repertoire and genre-bending performances, it’s clear that the String Queens are not limited by traditional classifications of music.

According to Isadore, “this is a really exciting time for music.” The String Queens see themselves as ambassadors of their instruments, showcasing their capabilities in various genres, including jazz, pop, and classical. Their goal is to create diverse musical experiences that inspire audiences to love, hope, feel, and imagine.

At the Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival, the String Queens will take the audience on a journey through music, performing compositions by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Chick Corea, Aretha Franklin, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, and Rogers and Hammerstein, alongside classical works. Their unique blend of styles and their mastery of their instruments will undoubtedly captivate the crowd.

Aside from their performances, the String Queens are also passionate music educators. They have conducted master classes and workshops, sharing their knowledge and expertise with young people and teachers. Their dedication to education and their commitment to bringing joy and relationship building to arts classrooms is an integral part of their career.

The formation of the String Queens was a serendipitous encounter between Kendall Isadore and Dawn Johnson. Isadore was in search of a viola player for a wedding gig and Johnson’s husband happened to suggest his wife, who turned out to be a first-rate viola player. Over time, they formed a strong bond and eventually welcomed Elise Sharp to complete the trio.

As they continue to make waves in the music industry, the String Queens remain focused on both performance and education. They aspire to enlighten audiences who may have only seen their instruments in a classical setting and to share their unique story as black women in a field where representation is scarce.

The String Queens have released three albums, with their most recent being “RISE” in 2020. As they look ahead, they are eager to create their fourth album when the timing is right.