Nnenna Freelon News

The exciting new work that made the sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall 'thunder its approval' (New York Times) takes the stage at the Hollywood Bowl for its West Coast premiere on August 30 at 7:30 p.m.

OFFICIALLY Summer doesn't end until September 22 - the date of the Fall Equinox ... TRADITIONALLY Summer ends on September 7 - the Monday of Labor Day weekend ... but in actuality, with many schools starting back on August 27 - there are only 2 WEEKS left in this Summer season. So, if you're gonna' fit one last summertime excursion into the family calendar - time's a wastin' ... but there will be NO time wasted if you use your time to take in one of the current or upcoming live theatre productions here on the heart of the California Central Coast!

As we enter the month of August, many places are experiencing the 'dog days of summer' - those hot and sultry days where ya' just don't feel like doin' anything ... and there's not a whole lot to do. Well - that is NOT the case here on the California Central Coast! The weather is wonderful, the grape vines are green and heavy with fruit (and the tasting rooms are open for business), the beaches are beautiful, the shops and restaurants are ready to welcome you, and there's more theatre goin' on than you can shake a stick at!

The exciting new work that made the sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall 'thunder its approval' (New York Times) takes the stage at the Hollywood Bowl for its West Coast premiere on August 30 at 7:30 p.m. This remarkable collaboration between Emmy Award-winning composer Laura Karpman and world-renowned soprano Jessye Norman takes audiences from Africa to the Americas, from the South to the North, from cities to suburbs, opera to jazz, gospel to be-bop, and 'shadows to fire,' reflecting the pathways of Langston Hughes' epic Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz.

The exciting new work that made the sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall 'thunder its approval' (New York Times) takes the stage at the Hollywood Bowl for its West Coast premiere on August 30 at 7:30 p.m. This remarkable collaboration between Emmy Award-winning composer Laura Karpman and world-renowned soprano Jessye Norman takes audiences from Africa to the Americas, from the South to the North, from cities to suburbs, opera to jazz, gospel to be-bop, and 'shadows to fire,' reflecting the pathways of Langston Hughes' epic Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz.

Michael Blachly, Director of University of Florida Performing Arts, has announced the line-up for the 2009-10 Season. If variety is the spice of life, then there is plenty of spice in store this season. From world-famous classical artists and Celtic virtuosos to highly anticipated Broadway tours and renowned dance companies, the UFPA 2009-10 Season has plenty of excitement in store for the new season.

Herbie Hancock calls her 'a wonderful song stylist,' Melba Moore says that 'She's a reincarnation of Ella Fitzgerald,' and Aretha Franklin proclaims 'If you're looking for good entertainment and very hip music, be sure to check out Nnenna Freelon.' Following up on its sold-out January concert by Tony winner Christine Ebersole and its wildly popular first-time collaboration with City Arts and Lectures in December when Barbara Cook appeared in concert and in conversation with Steve Winn, Bay Area Cabaret continues its 5th season on Sunday, March 8 at 5pm with Nnenna Freelon and her jazz quartet at the Marines Memorial Club Crystal Ballroom (609 Sutter Street@ Mason). Individual tickets to this show, and to a May 17th show by multi-platinum jazz singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway, are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or City Box Office (415) 392-4400.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts today unveiled its 2009-10 Theater Season and planet Ordway? Target? World Music and Dance Season. The announcement, made by Ordway President and CEO Patricia Mitchell, revealed a performance calendar filled with ambitious productions reflecting the breadth of American artistry and emerging global talent.

Herbie Hancock calls her 'a wonderful song stylist,' Melba Moore says that 'She's a reincarnation of Ella Fitzgerald,' and Aretha Franklin proclaims 'If you're looking for good entertainment and very hip music, be sure to check out Nnenna Freelon.' Following up on its sold-out January concert by Tony winner Christine Ebersole and its wildly popular first-time collaboration with City Arts and Lectures in December when Barbara Cook appeared in concert and in conversation with Steve Winn, Bay Area Cabaret continues its 5th season on Sunday, March 8 at 5pm with Nnenna Freelon and her jazz quartet at the Marines Memorial Club Crystal Ballroom (609 Sutter Street@ Mason). Individual tickets to this show, and to a May 17th show by multi-platinum jazz singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway, are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or City Box Office (415) 392-4400.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra's Labor Day weekend festival will include Paquito d'Rivera, Regina Carter, Nnenna Freelon, Kenny Barron, Mulgrew Miller, John Pizzarelli, Jessica Molaskey, Dave Holland, Jon Faddis, and Harolyn Blackwell.

Spencer Day will preview new songs from his upcoming album, Vagabond, at the Rrazz Room, December 9th through the 14th. The show will spotlight Day's unique style of American contemporary music, a blend of jazz, blues, soul and folk with a touch of humor and pathos. Day's performance at the Rrazz Room will give music lovers a chance to hear these amazing songs before Vagabond's release next spring.

Spencer Day will preview new songs from his upcoming album, Vagabond, at the Rrazz Room, December 9th through the 14th. The show will spotlight Day's unique style of American contemporary music, a blend of jazz, blues, soul and folk with a touch of humor and pathos. Day's performance at the Rrazz Room will give music lovers a chance to hear these amazing songs before Vagabond's release next spring.

Bay Area Cabaret has announced that it will follow-up last season's resoundingly successful series of 'Perfect Pairings' duet concerts with an illustrious line-up of nationally renowned Broadway and jazz divas. Bay Area Cabaret's fifth season will kick-off on Sunday, November 16 at 7pm with popular Broadway veteran Christine Andreas celebrating the great women of musical theatre at the historic Empire Ballroom of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel.

'Newport '57 Revisited: The Legacy of Ella, Billie & Basie' is the theme of the 2007 Jazz Festival Newport

Kimmel Center Chairman William P. Hankowsky, Acting President and COO Natalye Paquin, and Vice President of Programming and Education Mervon Mehta, today announced the 2007-08 season of Kimmel Center Presents concerts, recitals and dance presentations. The Kimmel Center opened its doors in December 2001, and has notably and positively transformed the Philadelphia-region performing arts scene. Encompassing classical, jazz, world, pop, educational, and dance presentations, the Kimmel Center continues its tradition of presenting a musically and culturally diverse line-up of performing artists to the Philadelphia-region community, September 16, 2007 - May 10, 2008.