On Stage at Kingsborough to Welcome Winard Harper & Jeli Possi

Award-winning jazz drummer Winard Harper and Jeli Posse will kick off On Stage at Kingsborough's Jazz at The Lighthouse series on Friday, October 14, at 7:00 p.m. The series takes place in a modern lighthouse with spectacular ocean views at the Kingsborough Community College campus. Wine and cheese will be served.

One of the most celebrated drummers in jazz, Winard Harper and his very talented group will play jazz standards and joyful compositions steeped in the traditions of African roots and Caribbean rhythms. A virtuoso on the drum set as well as the balafon (the West African equivalent of the marimba), Harper has appeared across the country, from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. to Yoshi's, a famed jazz club in San Francisco. Always a fan favorite, his most recent CD, "Co-Exist," reached number one on the JazzWeek charts soon after its release and just last month he was singled out for the Hot House Jazz Award as Favorite Drummer.

Joining Jeli Posse for this On Stage performance will be vocalist Denise Thimes, a multi-award-winning vocalist who has shared the stage with such jazz greats as Tony Bennett, Jimmy Heath, and Dr. Billy Taylor. When Thimes first burst onto the jazz scene, the legendary trumpeter Clark Terry described her voice as a perfect mix of "Ella, Sassy, Lady Day, Nancy, Dianne, and Carmen to name a few." Residing in her hometown of St. Louis, Thimes does not appear frequently in New York, so when she does it is a special occasion. An 8-time recipient of the St. Louis Black Repertory Woodie Award, she has also made a name for herself in theatre, but it is as a jazz singer where her talents shine.

On Stage at Kingsborough brings internationally renowned performing artists to Southern Brooklyn with an eclectic roster spanning many genres including music, dance, theatre and family programming. Anna Becker, the Executive Director of On Stage at Kingsborough explains, "On Stage at Kingsborough is bringing high caliber performances to the southernmost tip of Brooklyn. We are a destination for all New Yorkers passionate about the arts, while additionally providing local residents with access to great programs in their backyard. This season's lineup features artists from around the globe who are masters of their form. From Russian ballet to Broadway stars and the best in American jazz, cabaret, theatre and more, there is something to suit all tastes."

Tickets for the October 14 appearance of Winard Harper and Jeli Posse are $40. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and table seating is unreserved. The Lighthouse is located at 2001 Oriental Boulevard in Brooklyn. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.OnStageatKingsborough.org.