The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Terrace Theater
November 21, 1996 at 7:30
Kennedy Center's Terrace Concerts
present
The Louis Armstrong Legacy
featuring
Meredith d'Ambrosio, Vocalist
and
Eddie Higgins, Pianist
with
Jay Leonhart, Bassist
and
Gerry Gibbs, Drummer

Kennedy Center - Playbill
Meet the Artists
                       
Born in Boston, Meredith d'Ambrosio developed artistic leanings in both music and in the visual arts in her early years. Her career began as a singer-pianist, and all the while she kept up her activities as calligrapher, watercolorist and creator of eggshell mosaic. Her own art graces the covers of her CDs. Her latest album on the Sunnyside label, Beware of Spring uses her watercolor, "Steps of Auvers-sur-Oise." "Cooking is an art in itself and I don't have to make money at it. So, I enjoy it more than anything . . . " At last count she has done 12 paraphrase songs that are being published in a folio for teaching purposes, and a CD of these is also likely. Having started her musical career in Boston in 1963, she headed for NYC in 1981 and began extensive tours in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. During the early 1980s Ms d'Ambrosio performed with and made critically acclaimed albums with such artists as Maynard Ferguson, Hank Jones, Phil Woods, Lee Konitz, Eddie Higgins and Jay Leonhart (bass). Since their marriage in 1988, Ms. d'Ambrosio and her pianist husband have been a regular team in concert and on club dates, delighting audiences with their elegant repertoire, fine musicianship, and joy in making music together. They have recorded three CDs to date on Sunnyside.
As a pianist she has appeared on Marian McPartland's NPR  series "Piano Jazz."

Born and raised in New England, pianist Eddie Higgins's professional career began in Chicago. For some twenty years he worked at some of Chicago's best jazz clubs - The Brass Rail, Blue Note, Preview Lounge, Cloister Inn, and Jazz Ltd. His lengthiest and most memorable job was at the London House where he led the house trio for 12 years, playing opposite the biggest names of the era including Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, and Cannonbal Adderly. In 1988 he married singer/pianist Meredith d'Ambrosio.

Born in California's San Fernando Valley, drummer Gerry Gibbs is son of the legendary vibes player, Terry Gibbs. He secured his early engagements with Buddy DeFranco and Alice Coltrane. Apart from performing with Ms d'Ambrosio, he has played with Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, and Larry Coryell and has headed his own that includes Ravi Coltrane, son of John Coltrane. He has several original pieces to his credit.

Baltimore-born Jay Leonhart, bassist, studied at the Peabody Conservatory in his home-town and later at Boston's Berklee School of Music. He has worked with guitarist Jim Hall, veteran pianist Marian McPartland, and such musicians as Phil Woods, Gerry Mulligan, and Lee Konitz. Mr. Leonhart has written songs, some of which he has recorded.