Dinah Washington's I WANNA BE LOVED to Play Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center 11/29-30

Barbara Morrison will reprise her starring role as Dinah Washington in "I Wanna Be Loved" with singer-actor Jay Jackson co-starring as Brook Benton and the John Stephens-led 18-piece Barbara Morrison All-Star Jazz Band on Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 29-30) at her performing arts center in Leimert Park. The performances begin at 3 p.m. PST.

The musical play chronicles the life and loves of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer who died at age 39 in 1963. Washington was known as "Queen of the Blues" and had hit songs on the rhythm-and-blues and pop charts including two duets with Benton in 1960. Washington's first crossover success was "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes!" in 1959, when it went to No. 5 on the pop chart.

Morrison's latest CD, released in mid-June, titled "I Love You, Yes I Do," featuring saxophonist Houston Person reached No. 4 on the JazzWeek.com national chart in July. It spent three weeks in the top 10 and eight in the top 20.

"I Wanna Be Loved" was nominated for three NAACP Theatre Awards in September: Stephens for Best Musical Director-Local, Harold Garrison and Mara and Ron New for Best Producer--Local and Morrison for Best Costumes-Local. The criteria for nomination by the Beverly Hills/Hollywood Branch Theatre Viewing Committee was a production for five consecutive weeks that played from San Diego to Bakersfield during 2013.

"I Wanna Be Loved" opened at the BMPAC in February, 2013, and following an extended run reduced the performances to once a month to accommodate Morrison's busy national and international schedule. She's been a featured vocalist at the Detroit and Roswell (N.M.) Jazz Festivals and performed in Ireland and Germany this year.

Morrison won an NAACP Theatre Award as Best Music Director in 2009 for "Howlin' Blues and Dirty Dogs! The Story of Willie Mae 'Big Mamma' Thornton." Morrison played the lead role of Big Mama Thornton in addition to being Music Director. Morrison has also been nominated for two Grammys, one as a vocalist and one as a producer. She's been featured in over 20 recordings.

Jackson is best known nationally for his regular roles on NBC's sitcom "Parks and Recreation" and ABC's "Scandal" and he's had guest roles on "Revenge," "Body of Proof," and "The Mentalist." His original career goal was singing. Jackson trained at the prestigious LoDuca Brothers Music Academy in Milwaukee, Wis. He's also a veteran of the U.S. Navy and worked as a television reporter in Los Angeles.

Jackson is well known as a jazz vocalist in Los Angeles, performing at the Catalina Jazz Club, the Hollywood Studio Bar and Grill, The House of Music and Entertainment/Beverly Hills and other well-known venues.

Stephens was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas, and played saxophone in his high school band. He received a partial scholarship to Houston Tillotson College in Austin (Texas). Stephens' education was interrupted by a four-year stint in the United States Marines, where he played in the Marine Corps band. He was released in San Diego, decided to stay in California and graduated from Cal State Northridge with a bachelor's in music in 1975.

Stephens joined Marvin Gaye Productions as a sax player. He also plays the flute and clarinet. He's performed with Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Patti LaBelle and band leaders and arrangers Buddy Collette and Gerald Wilson.

The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center is located at 4305 Degnan Blvd. Suite 101 in Los Angeles. For tickets, call 310-462-1439 or go to www.barbaramorrison.com.

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