Naärai Returns to Sarasota for Two Concerts at WBTT

 In November, music fans are in for a treat as Naärai – a Sarasota native and the daughter of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Founder/Artistic Director Nate Jacobs – returns to grace the WBTT stage. She will present "Legends: My Favorite Songs" on November 3 and 4, with shows taking place in WBTT's Donelly Theatre (1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota) at 7:30 p.m.

During "Legends," Naärai will make her way through decades of music, paying tribute to her favorite artists: the women of song who have paved the way for her. Artists audiences can expect to hear covered include: Dionne Warwick ("Do You Know the Way to San Jose," "Wives and Lovers," "Valley of the Dolls)," Barbra Streisand ("Evergreen"), Gladys Knight ("Heard it Through the Grapevine"), Aretha Franklin ("Until You Come Back to Me," "Bridge Over Troubled Water"), Diana Ross ("Upside Down"), Whitney Houston ("One Moment in Time") and more. She will be accompanied by a live band, led by music director Etienne “EJ” Porter, and background vocalists.

Naärai has a long list of WBTT performances to her credit, including "The Piano Lesson," "The Wiz," "Songbirds of the 70s," "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Jazz Hot Mamas." In 2018, shortly after the death of the legendary Aretha Franklin, she was one of the two featured singers in "Salute to the Queen: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin"; in the spring of 2023, she was a featured vocalist for the WBTT-Key Chorale collaboration, "Grace: The Spirit of Aretha." She also sang with her father as part of the Music Monday presentations at McCurdy's Comedy Club in June of 2023, and performed as part of the cast for the "Soul & Sass" concert in November 2023, part of the entertainment lineup for “The Bay Turns One” celebration.

She pointed out that, for her extensive local resume and years performing in this area, this will be the first time she has taken the stage in WBTT’s new theatre, upon which construction was completed in 2019.

She is a proud graduate of Howard University, where she received her BFA in Theatre Arts, magna cum laude. After the release of her debut solo EP, “On My Way,” in 2015, Naärai moved to Los Angeles, Calif., where she has spent the last eight years making a name for herself as a professional singer. She’s had the privilege of providing background vocals for Beyoncé (Coachella Music Festival, the film “Homecoming,” and the albums “Renaissance” and “Cowboy Carter”), Tori Kelly, Mariah Carey, and Kanye West (“Jesus is King,” “Jesus is Born,” and “Donda”). In 2021, she was featured as a soloist on Elton John’s single, “Finish Line,” which also included Stevie Wonder. In 2022, she released her single, “Perfect,” to rave reviews. 

"To have an artist of Naärai's stature perform on the WBTT stage is a privilege but for that artist to be my daughter makes this particularly special for me," said Jacobs. "Her early training and theatre experience took place right here in Sarasota; we are thrilled to welcome her back for these performances."

Tickets are $37-$100. Visit westcoastblacktheatre.org or call the Box Office at 941-366-1505.

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