Summer Music Series: The Paul Speidel Quartet Featuring Toni Lynn Washington

Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy some great summer music outdoors! Frozen treats will be provided. Family friendly! Part of our Summer Music Series.

Toni Lynn Washington, Boston’s undisputed “matron” of the Boston Jazz and Blues Scene, is a local legend who began her career in the local R&B clubs of the 50s and 60s.  The most in-demand artist of her stature in New England, Ms. Washington has a long and storied career in the music business world-wide.  For the better part of seven decades, she has performed with Gospel groups, Jazz Combos and Big Bands, Soul/R&B outfits and Pop & Dance Bands.  As a teen, she was already known in clubs around Boston for her ability to sing Ruth Brown covers.  In the 60’s, her recording career began with a subsidiary of Atlantic Records, later touring the States with classic acts like Sam and Dave and Jackie Wilson.  Then in the 70’s, while based in L.A., Ms. Washington was featured on USO tours around the world. She returned to Boston in the 80’s to raise her children while singing Jazz in nightclubs.  Among her many accolades, Ms. Washington has had multiple music award nominations, including the Boston Blues Festival’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” and for her 2016 release “I Wanna Dance”.  Ms. Toni Lynn Washington is a fan favorite in New England and is widely-regarded in the music community as an elder stateswoman.  She makes appearances with top artists both regionally and in Europe, and most recently was the featured artist at Boston’s renowned Jazz venue “The Top of the Hub”.

For over twenty years, Paul Speidel has been performing at major clubs and festivals in the Greater Boston area, such as Scullers, Ryles, Johnny D’s, Acton Jazz Cafe, and many others.  He had the privilege of performing live on WBUR’s “Radio Boston” program to nearly 400,000 listeners, and has appeared on countless other area radio shows over the years including Jordan Rich’s weekend show on WBZ.  With ten CDs to his credit, Paul’s recordings have been critically recognized nationally, including a 3½ star review in Downbeat in 2011.  His credits also include performances with Patti Page, Howard Alden, Jay Geils, Duke Robillard, James Montgomery and Shirley Lewis, to name just a few…

This event will be held indoors in our meeting room if we experience inclement weather.