Lisa Fischer Brings New Band to the Valley Performing Arts Center Tonight

Since the conclusion of the Rolling Stones Zip Code Tour, Ms. Lisa Fischer has been walking the 20 feet to center stage, performing with the trio Grand Baton at major jazz venues, festivals and concert halls across the country. Tonight, October 2, Ms. Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton will make their VPAC debut.

A star of the Academy Award-winning documentary, 20 Feet from Stardom and a back-up singer for the Stones since 1989, Fischer's new act explores a broad spectrum of material - standards such as "I Loves You, Porgy" and "Fever"; rock classics like "Jumpin' Jack Flash"; rootsy works by Railroad Earth and Amy Grant; and originals, including her Grammy-winning record "How Can I Ease the Pain." It's her first headlining tour since 20 Feet won the Oscar in 2014.

Tickets for Ms. Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton range from $30 - $75 and can be purchased by visiting ValleyPerformingArtsCenter.org or calling (818) 677-3000. Valley Performing Arts Center is located on the campus of California State University, Northridge (CSUN), 18111 Nordhoff Street Northridge, CA 91330-8448, at the corner of Nordhoff and Lindley.

"Lisa Fischer's versatility is unequalled," said VPAC's Executive Director Thor Steingraber. "I've seen her in a small underground club in New York City, and I've seen her in an outdoor amphitheater. In any setting, Lisa's voice transcends, morphing from style to style effortlessly. At VPAC's Grand Hall, the full range of her vocal power will be on display, and yet, the venue's pristine acoustics promise an intimate setting to experience Lisa's talents."

"I really liked the changing and the moving and the switching my voice around and thinking about music differently, and listening to the artist and thinking, OK, what kind of sound would be good here?," Ms. Fischer recently told the Boston Globe. "So the idea that you're going to be [declared] a jazz singer, an R&B singer, a pop singer? I just want to sing, really."

About Ms. Lisa Fisher and Grand Baton
Ms. Lisa Fischer was the best-kept secret in American music. Whether she was strutting out "Gimme Shelter" on world tours with Mick Jagger or sharing a Grammy with Patti Labelle, Lisa eluded the star-making machinery until 2013's smash documentary Twenty Feet From Stardom finally brought her center stage. A blazing vocal phenomenon, Ms. Fischer has shared the stage and studio with Tina Turner, Beyonce, Bobby McFerrin, Alicia Keyes, John Scofield, George Benson, and hundreds of others. Her impeccable time, intonation, dazzling range, and emotional commitment have helped make her one of the most in-demand singers in the industry. This tour is an exploration of uncharted territory through R&B and jazz. Guaranteed, though, she will astonish with her vocal mastery and stage magic, giving new life to tunes you love, but only thought you knew.

Ms Lisa Fischer is joined by Grand Baton, a trio which weaves threads of arena rock, smooth jazz, carnival music, raga, African drumming, pop and alternative metal into a moody tapestry. Led by Jean-Christophe (JC) Maillard, a native of Pointe-à-Pître, Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, Grand Baton also features Theirry Aprino on drums and Aidan Carroll on bass.

In another first for Fischer, the singer and Grand Baton leader JC Maillard will collaborate with the Alonzo King LINES Ballet on a new work that premieres at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in November.

About Valley Performing Arts Center
The Valley Performing Arts Center's 2015-16 Season signals a new era for the five-year old premiere event venue. Under the leadership of Executive Director Thor Steingraber, VPAC expands its programming to include new and original work, and outstanding multi-disciplinary performances. Located on the campus of California State University Northridge, VPAC's season offers a vibrant and diverse performance program of nearly 50 classical and popular music, dance, theater, family and international events that will serve to establish VPAC as the intellectual and cultural heart of the San Fernando Valley and further establish itself as one of the top arts companies in Southern California. The award-winning 1,700-seat theatre was designed by HGA Architects and Engineers and was recently cited by the LA Times as "a growing hub for live music, dance, drama and other cultural events."

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