The jazz singer releases Voice of My Beautiful Country
Posted by T. Ballard Lesemann on Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 7:16 AM

PROVIDED
The latest from Rene Marie
When not working for the College of Charleston faculty as adjunct professor of Jazz Percussion, local musician Quentin Baxter also serves as musical director for the Charleston Jazz Initiative and regularly performs with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra and his own combos around town. He manages to squeeze a few recording sessions into his busy schedule from time to time as well.
Baxter recently collaborated with award-winning jazz vocalist René Marie on her new studio collection, Voice of My Beautiful Country. The disc came out earlier this month on the Motéma Music label.

“The genesis for the Voice of My Beautiful Country suite began with a realization that my personal historical background — my birthplace, family life, early childhood, and adulthood experiences — contributed a significant and unique aspect to my creativity,” Marie says of the album. “These arrangements are a straight-up reflection of specific facets of American music — jazz, gospel, and blues.”

The Baxter-Marie collaboration has been an ongoing partnership. They’ve performed together at several Spoleto Festival USA concerts and on international tours.

“Voice of My Beautiful Country is doing very well,” Baxter says of the sales and response so far. “The packaging and presentation of this album is amazing. I hope people look for it in local stores and online through usual online vendors and Motéma.”

From this week through May 31, Marie fans have a chance to participate in the “Voice of My Beautiful Country Contest” by visiting voiceofmybeautifulcountry.com and uploading their entries. One grand prize winner will be awarded a trip for two to Washington, D.C. to see Marie in concert on July 6 at Blues Alley.

Visit renemarie.com and baxtermusic.com for more.