Roberta Flack Plays the Van Wezel Tonight

Internationally hailed as one of the greatest songstresses of our time, Grammy Award winning Roberta Flack comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall tonight, April 22, 2015 at 8pm. Flack remains unparalleled in her ability to tell a story through her music. Some of her greatest hits include, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," "Where Is the Love, Killing Me Softly With His Song," "Feel Like Makin' Love," "The Closer I Get to You" and "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" just to name a few. Her songs bring insight into our lives, loves, culture and politics, while effortlessly traversing a broad musical landscape from pop and soul, to folk and jazz.

It was from humble beginnings and perseverance that Flack became the star she is today. Born in Asheville, North Carolina, and raised in Arlington, Virginia, Flack discovered her earliest musical influences from the church. Flack began piano lessons at age nine and played on an old piano that her father had repaired. In her early teens she excelled in her musical abilities and in her academic studies. Remarkably, by the age of fifteen she enrolled at Howard University on a full music scholarship. After graduating with a major in music education, she held several teaching positions before her music career really began to take shape.

By the summer of 1968, the word was out, and that word was "Roberta." While the nation's capital was hosting Resurrection City, Roberta was doing a benefit for the Inner City Ghetto Children's Library Fund. In the packed crowd was famed musician, Les McCann, who was stunned by what he heard: "Her voice touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I've ever known. I laughed, cried, and screamed for more...she alone had the voice!" Within days he had arranged an audition for Roberta with Atlantic Records.

Today, Flack remains a shining inspiration to her fans, peers and younger musicians in the music industry. Flack is currently involved with a very exciting studio venture - an interpretive album of Beatles' classics.

Tickets are $35.00-$75.00 and are available at VanWezel.org, the Box Office, or by calling 941-953-3368.