Janice Mitchell and the Jim Beishline Trio

Saturday, August 24, 2024 - 8:15 pm - 9:45 pm
Center Street Stage

Janice Mitchell, (Vocals)

Janice Mitchell spent most of her adult life in Los Angeles, where she partnered with singer, songwriter, producer, Eugene McDaniels [writer of the hit, Feel Like Making Love].  Gene was instrumental in promoting her career as a studio vocalist.  After recording a solo spot on organist Jimmy Smith's album, "Sit On It", produced by Gene, she was offered a recording contract with Jimmy Smith's label, but due to management Janice was unable to accept the deal.  However it somehow landed on the ear of Stevie Wonder who became a friend, hired her for a live engagement with him, and also sponsored vocal coaching for Janice with his own coach, the renowned Seth Riggs. 

Although usually recognized for touring internationally with Ray Charles, as a backup vocalist  ("Raelette"), Janice has also recorded with such musical giants as Nancy Wilson, Les McCann, Melba Moore, Bobby Womack and toured with Fabian, Yvonne Elliman, Eric Mercury . . The list goes on.

Her talents as singer-dancer in production shows have taken her to the showrooms of Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Las Vegas' casinos, and on cruise ships. Movie fans may recognize Janice from her appearance and vocals in the Sidney Poitier film "Uptown Saturday Night" and Taylor Hackford's "The Idolmaker".

Janice returned to WNY in the mid nineties where she teamed her vocal stylings with the music arrangements of Jim Beishline. She was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame 2000. 

Jim Beishline (Piano) 

Jim Beishline is recognized for his superb style exhibited in his fine trio arrangements for piano,  bass, and drums. Jim's piano styles span the full spectrum from blues to jazz and his versatile talent is featured on many local recordings.  As musical partner to Janice, he is the arranger of Janice’s jazz and blues standards. 

He started out in the late seventies, playing with a number of local bands, including the beginnings of Spyro Gyra before their hit-making days. In the eighties he accepted a road job with Danny and The Juniors and shortly after he returned home to work as a staff piano player for BMK Studios, which produced radio jingles in the Buffalo area. Being stationary allowed Jim the opportunity to teach piano technique, harmony, and theory privately and to perform workshops at The State University of New York at Buffalo and local high schools.  Jim was contracted by QRS Records to record solo piano in varied styles for use with player pianos.  Jim has performed with numerous local and nationally acclaimed artists, including: Muddy Waters, Tony Galla, Chuck Berry, Kenny Lee Lewis (of the Steve Miller Band) and Jeff Hackworth,.  In 2011 Jim had the opportunity to play piano with Aretha Franklin and her band when they performed in Western NY. 

Marc P. Cousins (Bass)

Paris-born bassist, and arranger. Cousins started his musical studies in Brussels, Belgium. He received his Bachelor's degree in Jazz Performance from Arizona State University and attended North Texas State University for graduate work in music. He has toured the US and Europe with a variety of musical groups and has lived in Orlando, Dallas, and NYC. He currently resides in Buffalo, where he has performed with a variety of local ensembles such as the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Southern Tier Orchestra, the French ConeXion, the George Scott Big Band, the Buffalo Tango Orkestra . Currently, he also leads his own ensemble Cousins Trio. He is also involved in many theatrical productions as a pit musician on both upright and electric bass. As a leader and sideman, he flies occasionally across the US and abroad for short musical engagements. 

Abdul-Rahman Qadir (Drums)

With a career spanning 40 – plus years , Abdul has had the honor and privilege of working with national and a majority of area musicians in a variety of venues. Luminaries he’s worked with include: Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Cole, Regina Carter, Dakota Staton, Dodo Green, the legendary Al Tinney, and many others. He has taught and performed in the Buffalo Public Schools, and the Catholic Diocese as well as the Arts in Education Institute of WNY as a teaching artist.  Abdul has had the honor of appearing in the movie Marshall as a member of the band. Known for his distinctive swing style of jazz drumming, he has also performed in musical theater, opera productions, and with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. His belief is that music has no boundaries.