Grammy Award-Winning Jazz Vocalist Catherine Russell Comes to SOPAC, 2/10

Grammy Award-winning vocalist Catherine Russell has received universal acclaim since her debut album in 2006, Cat. She is a fresh and original voice." wrote Sinatra biographer, Will Friedwald, who picked Cat among his top 10 cds of the year. "It's a delight to hear the real thing in Catherine Russell.", chimed in Nat Hentoff in The Wall Street Journal. She will perform at the South Orange Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 10 at 8 p.m. bringing to sparkling life songs from her new album Harlem on My Mind, an homage to the creativity and genius of 1930s Harlem "Renaissance."

After graduating with honors from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she embarked upon musical adventures as a backup singer with Carrie Smith, Steely Dan, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Michael Feinstein, Levon Helm, and Rosanne Cash, among others, touring the world and lending her voice to more than 200 albums. Now, she is an award-winning and acclaimed vocalist in her own right.

Catherine Russell is that rarest of entities - a genuine Jazz and Blues singer - who can sing virtually anything. Her voice is full blown femininity incarnate; a dusky, stalwart and soulful instrument that radiates interpretive power yet remains touchingly vulnerable. She launches fearlessly into each tune, getting inside the melody and capturing every emotion. Her repertoire features a selection of gems from the 1920's through the present; vital interpretations, bursting with soul and humor. With an off-the beaten-path song selection, sparkling acoustic swing, and a stunning vocal approach, Catherine Russell joins the ranks of the greatest interpreters and performers of American Popular Song.

Her 2016 record Harlem on My Mind received rave reviews and earned her a Grammy Award nomination. It is without a doubt the best work yet put forth by Catherine Russell. She described the album as a "return to the roots" and Jazz Times raved, "If there's a postmillennial answer to Dinah Washington, surely it's Catherine Russell."

Catherine Russell will bring the magic of Harlem on My Mind to SOPAC on Saturday, February 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30-$40 and can be purchased online at http://www.sopacnow.org/catherine-russell/ or by calling the box office at (973) 313-2787.

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SOPAC programs are made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is a 501(c)(3)charitable organization.

About SOPAC

Since 2006, SOPAC has been serving as a premier performing arts center in the region. SOPAC offers innovative artistic and cultural experiences for diverse audiences in an intimate, inviting environment. The premier arts center hosts a variety of live performances, community events and education programs for all ages. To further expand its offerings, SOPAC has a partnership with the Juilliard School of Music to present Juilliard @ SOPAC-a series featuring upcoming musicians from the acclaimed conservatory. SOPAC is home for Seton Hall University Arts Council's performances, including Classical Concert Series, Jazz 'N the Hall performances and Seton Hall University Theatre productions. SOPAC also presents performances by its theater company in-residence, American Theater Group. For more information, visit SOPACnow.org

Dee Billia
Director of External Relations

(973) 382-1031 | dee@SOPACnow.org

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