jazz and blues vocalist

Buffalo Music Hall of Famer  
 

Buffalo Music Hall of Famer Jazz Vocalists Janice Mitchell

jazz blues r&b pop  jazz blues r&b

JAZZ BLUES R&B FEMALE VOCALIST, Janice Mitchell . . . grew up in Buffalo, NY, with intentions of becoming a pharmacist, but little did she know that fate had a completely different plan for her.  She has sung her way across the globe, jazzing and bluesing it up, through a string of totally unexpected events. While pursuing her dream of studying pharmacy at the State University of NY at Buffalo, Janice worked in a shoe store across the street from the campus of SUNY Buffalo.  As she hummed around the shoe shop, she caught the ear of an associate who's boyfriend's band was in need of a passionate singer.  Jan got the job and this was the turning point of the whole direction of her career. 

After working with her first band, Bridge, , she belted the blues, R&B, and chart topping tunes with Alive and Well, a group which also featured Tony Galla and Jimmy Calire of Raven.  After the group broke up, Janice moved to New York City, where she met, producer and songwriter Eugene McDaniels,  who became a "spiritual brother" and agent to Janice.

Her credits of the 70's and 80's appear as  Afreeka Trees  a former stage name given to her by Gene.   After their move to Los Angeles, in an era and locale where the record industry flourished, it was he who opened the door to the studio backup singing that she did for an endless list of artists, whose names include Nancy Wilson, Melba Moore, Les McCann, Bobby Womack, and Robbie Krieger of the Doors. 

A solo performed by Janice on organist Jimmy Smith's album,  "Sit On It",  resulted in an offer for a recording deal with his record company and also in a personal call from Stevie Wonder inviting her to perform with him in Washington D.C.  in concert for the Congressional Black Caucus.  

Among her movie credits is a singing appearance in Sidney Poitier's  "Uptown Saturday Night"and Taylor Hackford's "The Idolmaker". 

 

 In the 80's Janice spent 5 years touring the world. 9 months at a time, with Ray Charles as a Raelette.  She sang backup vocals on his recordings of America and also on his Christmas album.  It was while touring with Ray that she met  late husband,  Brian Mitchell, nephew of bassist, Red Mitchell.   The road was home as they toured together for the next few years.

 After a plane accident in Bloomington Indiana, where Ray's small plane missed the runway and was totalled, Janice and husband Brian decided they no longer wanted to fly on a daily basis, and moved to Reno, Nevada.  From there she worked the casino showrooms of Reno, Lake Tahoe, and northern Nevada, which were only a commute away.  When the marriage ended, Janice accepted a year's contract entertaining on Celebrity Cruises. Each week she would leave NYC heading to Bermuda with Celebrity Cruises.  In 1995 she decided to move back to the Buffalo area to be with her family.  This is when she met her new partner in life and in music, Jim Beishline and began working with the Jim Beishline Trio.  They enjoy playing around Buffalo as a quartet and also as a duo.  

 

Janice is now in the process of recording a tribute to Ray Charles, which will incorporate some of her original music dedicated to Ray along with special arrangements of Ray's hit tunes. 

 

She was the lone female inducted into the BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF FAME 2000.  Janice, as vocalist for The Jim Beishline Quartet, was honored along with Jim as the recipient of the BUFFALO MUSIC AWARD 2000 for Buffalo's BEST JAZZ SMALL BAND.

 

 

jazz blues Music Engagements  jazz blues r&b
Don't miss the "Tribute to Ray Charles" concert at the Albright Knox Art Gallery on Sunday, August 7th, 2-4pm.        Contact Janice if you'd like further details or if you wish to be added to her mailing list and be notified by email or postal mail of singing engagements. . .

Join Janice at these Western New York venues performing Jazz, Blues, Pop and R&B
Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band

  August 28, 2005 LEWISTON JAZZ FESTIVAL
Di Camillo Courtyard
535 Center Street

Lewiston, NY
http://lewistonjazz.com/homepage.php   716-754-7030 for info

2:30-4:30pm  In case of rain performance will be held at
Key Bank at 5th and Center Street  This is our main performance of the festival - the only one that features the complete quartet
Piano: Jim Beishline     Drums: Abdul Qaddir     Bass: Buddy Fadale
     jazz, blues, R&B
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  August 27, 2005

LEWISTON JAZZ FESTIVAL
Village Bake Shoppe
419 Center Street
Lewiston, NY     
    716-754-7030 for info

 

 

 

 

 

10 pm - 12 midnight
Duo with Jim Beishline    jazz,blues

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  August 19, 2005 WEGMAN'S SHERIDAN DRIVE
5275 Sheridan Drive
Williamsville, NY
    716 631 4300

Duo with Jim Beishline on piano    6-8pm    jazz

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  August 18, 2005 FISHERMAN'S PARK
North Tonawanda, NY
 

Time to be announced

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  August 12, 2005 FAULKNER PARK
Youngstown, NY
 

7-9pm
Piano: Jim Beishline     Drums: John Bacon     Bass: Jim Kirzdorfer
     jazz, blues, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  August 12, 2005 WEINBERG CAMPUS
2700 North Forest Road
Getzville, NY
  14068

2-3pm
Duo with Jim Beishline on piano 
     jazz, blues, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  August 10, 2005 GREENFIELD MANOR
5953 Broadway
Buffalo, NY

6:30-8:30pm
Piano: Jim Beishline     Drums: Tom Kasperek     Bass: Buddy Fadale     jazz, blues, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  August 7, 2005 ALBRIGHT-KNOX ART GALLERY
1285 Elmwood Avenue
 Buffalo, NY       716-849-5524

 
As a part of the Buffalo News Summer Jazz Series, Janice will be presenting a "Tribute to Ray
Charles" in additon to a set of jazz and blues in concert on the Art Gallery's back steps.  This
is a free event.
2-4pm

Piano: Jim Beishline     Drums: John Bacon     Bass: Jim Kirzdorfer
 
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  July 29, 2005 WARREN'S RESTAURANT
561 Main Street
Tonawanda, NY


Duo with Jim Beishline on piano    9-12pm    jazz, blues, pop, R&B
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  July 22, 2005 WARREN'S RESTAURANT
561 Main Street
Tonawanda, NY


Duo with Jim Beishline on piano    9-12pm    jazz, blues, R&B, pop
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  July 21, 2005 EPISCOPAL CHURCH
24 Rhode Island St.
Buffalo, NY

Duo with Jim Beishline on piano    7-8pm     jazz standards

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  July 16, 2005 RIVERWALK MUSIC FESTIVAL
Riverwalk Park
Fort Erie, Ontario
Canada

4-5pm with Jim Beishline Trio                    jazz, blues, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  July 15, 2005 WARREN'S RESTAURANT
561 Main Street
Tonawanda, NY


Duo with Jim Beishline on piano    9-12pm    jazz, blues, R&B, pop
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  July 9, 2005 RIVER GRILL
70 Aqua Lane
Tonawanda, NY
  716-873-2553

9-12pm
Pianist, Jim Beishline, and Janice are guests of Brent & The Accuratones    blues, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  July 8, 2005 JACKSON SQUARE
Batavia, NY

Piano: Jim Beishline     Drums: John Bacon     Bass: Buddy Fadale   jazz, blues, R&B 

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  June 26, 2005 ROTARY JAZZ FESTIVAL
West Side Rowing Club
foot of Porter Ave.
Buffalo, NY
 

5-6pm
Piano: Jim Beishline     Drums: Tom Kasperek      Bass:  Jim Kirzdorfer      
jazz, blues, R&B 

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  June 25, 2005 BUFFALO CLUB
388 Delaware
Buffalo, NY

8:30-11:30
Piano: Jim Beishline     Drums: Dan Hull      Bass:  John Curry      
jazz, blues, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  June 24, 2005 SHADOW LOUNGE
1504 Hertel Avenue
Buffalo, NY    14216  835-3975          

Piano: Jim Beishline   Drums: John Bacon   Bass: Jim Kirzdorfer   Sax: Dick Griffo 
jazz,blues,R&B
 

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  June 22, 2005 WARREN'S RESTAURANT
561 Main Street
Tonawanda, NY


Piano:
Jim Beishline    Saxophones: Bruce Johnstone     9-12pm    jazz, blues, R&B, pop
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  June 17, 2005 WEGMAN'S SHERIDAN DRIVE
5275 Sheridan Drive
Williamsville, NY
    716 631 4300

Piano:Jim Beishline   Bass: Gil Pease    6-8pm    jazz, blues, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  June 16, 2005 COUNTRY CLUB OF BUFFALO
250 Youngs Road
Buffalo, NY

Piano:Jim Beishline      jazz, blues, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  June 10, 2005 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLUB
595 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY              

8:30-10:30
Piano: Jim Beishline     Drums: Dan Hull     Bass: Paul LaDuca     
jazz, blues, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  May 29, 2005 OAK ORCHARD YACHT CLUB
1103 Archbald
Waterport,  NY              

8-11pm
Piano: Jim Beishline     Drums: John Bacon     Bass: Buddy Fadale     jazz, blues
, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  May 27, 2005 SHADOW LOUNGE
1504 Hertel Avenue
Buffalo, NY    14216  835-3975          

Piano: Jim Beishline     Drums: Abdul Qaddir     Bass: Jim Kirzdorfer  Sax: Bruce Johnstone             jazz,blues, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  May 21, 2005 ELLICOTTVILLE JAZZ FESTIVAL
Madigan's
44 Washington
Ellicottville, NY              

8:30-12:30
Piano: Chu Nero   Drums: Lou Mareno    Bass: Sabu Adeyola  Sax: Carroll McLaughlin 
jazz,blues

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  May 15, 2005 WARREN'S RESTAURANT
561 Main Street
Tonawanda, NY


Piano:
Jim Beishline    Saxophones: Dick Griffo     9-12pm    jazz, blues, R&B, pop
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  May 11, 2005 PARKLANE RESTAURANT
33 Gates Circle
Buffalo, NY  14209


5-9 pm  
Duo with Jim Beishline; 
jazz, blues, R&B
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  April 30, 2005    ELKS CLUB
Lockport, NY
6-9 pm 
Duo with Jim Beishline   
jazz, blues, R&B
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  April 27, 2005    PARKLANE RESTAURANT
33 Gates Circle
Buffalo, NY  14209


5-9 pm   (Start time may vary)
Duo with Jim Beishline; 
jazz, blues, R&B
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  April 25, 2005    BB KING'S BLUES CLUB
237 West 42nd Street     New York City     212-997-4144
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
Appearing as special guest in Lucille's Grill with Scott Hunter and The Soul Searchers. 
Also featured will be Jim Beishline on piano and his brother, Richard Beishline on drums:  blues
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  April 19, 2005 BOBBY MCGEE'S
University Plaza next door to Amherst Theatre
Main Street at Kenmore Avenue
Buffalo, NY
8:30-11:30    jazz, blues

Dan Hull - drums          Jim Kurzdorfer - bass           Jim Beishline - piano
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  April 16, 2005    BUFFALO LAUNCH CLUB
Grand Island, NY
 

8:30-10:30pm 
Wine tasting;   jazz, blues

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  April 14, 2005 PARKLANE RESTAURANT
33 Gates Circle
Buffalo, NY  14209

5-9 pm; jazz, blues, R&B
Duo with Jim Beishline on the terrace.  Party in celebration of opening of the terrace
for summer. Free food and drinks.
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  April 9, 2005   POKEY JOE'S
289 Austin Street
Buffalo, NY

2-6 pm 
Guest of Brent and the Accurtones - blues and R&B matinee
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  March 3, 2005    AQUARIUM OF NIAGARA
Niagara Falls, NY

6-9 pm 
Seasonings, the original “Taste of Niagara”,A flavorful fund-raiser. Savory servings of
food and wine, provided by area restaurants and New York State wineries;
jazz, blues, R&B
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  Feb 14, 2005  MARINACCIO'S
 
5877 Main Street
Buffalo, NY
phone:  716 633 7755
7-10pm
   jazz, blues, R&B
  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  Feb 12, 2005 MARINACCIO'S

5877 Main Street
Buffalo, NY
phone:  716 633 7755
7-10pm
jazz, blues, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  Feb 11, 2005 SONOMA GRILL

5050 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14226
phone:  716 204 0251
8pm-12am
  jazz, blues, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  Jan 29, 2005  MARINACCIO'S

5877 Main Street
Buffalo, NY
phone:  716 633 7755
7-10pm
jazz, blues, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  Jan 22, 2005 MARINACCIO'S

5877 Main Street
Buffalo, NY
phone:  716 633 7755
7-10pm
     jazz, blues, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  Jan 15, 2005  INN ON THE HILL

4206 Lake Ave,
Lockport, NY 14094
(716) 433-4112   
jazz, blues, R&B

  Jazz Blues Vocalist Janice Mitchell's Music Entertainment in Buffalo NY, Erie County, and WNY -Singer with Jim Beishline Jazz Trio, and R&B Party Band
  Jan 8, 2005    INN ON THE HILL

4206 Lake Ave,
Lockport, NY 14094
(716) 433-4112  
jazz, blues, R&B

        

jazz blues r&b jazz blues r&b