Dinah Washington News

On October 9, 2015, The New York Pops - a symphonic orchestra known for presenting popular programs of exceptional quality - will launch its 33rd season, a series at Carnegie Hall celebrating the diversity of some of popular music's greatest icons.

Grammy and Oscar award-winning vocalist ?Patti Austin returns to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for a performance devoted to the brilliance of Washington, DC native Duke Ellington and 'The First Lady of Song,' Ella Fitzgerald, Thursday, February 19 at 8 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore, and Friday, February 20 at 8 p.m. Saturday, February 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 22 at 3 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

After a sold-out engagement last February, renowned San Francisco Bay Area jazz vocalist, Paula West, returns to Feinstein's at the Nikko for a six-week engagement - February 12 - March 22, 2015. Known for her rich, powerful contralto voice, West will present an all-new show featuring an eclectic range of songs - from memorable jazz standards to contemporary American classics by Bob Dylan, Talking Heads, Harry Nilsson and more! Accompanied by her four-piece band, West will take San Francisco audiences on a musical journey through the ages. Tickets for Paula West range in price from $35-$50 and are available now by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

Singer Jay Jackson & Nu Lu, a band named in honor of Lou Rawls, will perform a range of pop hits in their unique style in a New Year's Eve performance at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in Leimert Park.

Singer Jay Jackson & Nu Lu, a band named in honor of Lou Rawls, will perform a range of pop hits in their unique style in a New Year's Eve performance at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in Leimert Park.

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 Chicago Jazz Orchestra (CJO) under the direction of Artistic Director, Jeff Lindberg, is excited and honored to have been chosen to perform at the 37th Annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala on December 7, 2014 in Washington, D.C. This performance will mark the 26th consecutive year that the CJO has been chosen for this singular honor.

John Stephens has been nominated for Best Musical Director-local by the NAACP Theatre Awards for “I Wanna Be Loved,” the story of Dinah Washington's life and loves starring Barbara Morrison which returns to the stage Sunday at Morrison's Performing Arts Center in Leimert Park. The show begins at 4 p.m.

Legendary jazz vocalist Marlena Shaw will make her debut at Feinstein's at the Nikko for two performances only - tonight, October 11 (7 p.m.) and Sunday, October 12 (7 p.m.) Backed by the Marlena Shaw Quartet, Shaw will feature an evening of her greatest hits from throughout her 40-plus year career.

The theatrical production 'I Wanna Be Loved' starring Barbara Morrison as Dinah Washington has been nominated for three NAACP Theatre Awards by the Beverly Hills/Hollywood Branch Theatre Viewing Committee.

New York City Ballet's annual Fall Gala will once again celebrate ballet and fashion with a program that will include three world premiere ballets by Justin Peck, Liam Scarlett, and Troy Schumacher, as well as existing works by Peter Martins and Christopher Wheeldon, all featuring costumes designed by an international roster of some of the fashion world's most renowned talents: Thom Browne, Sarah Burton, Valentino Garavani, Carolina Herrera, and Mary Katrantzou. The one- time-only gala evening will take place tonight, September 23, 2014, opening New York City Ballet's four-week Fall Season at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.

Los Angeles cabaret singer Jan Abrams will perform "I'll Be Seeing You" at the Arthur Newman Theater at the Joslyn Center in Palm on Sunday, October 5, 2014 at 2 PM. If you can image a time when everyone gathered around the radio listening to music to take your mind off your worries for those loved ones 'over there'? Even if you can't -- you'll love this new show by Jan Abram's with acclaimed musical director Christopher Marlowe on the baby grand.

Legendary jazz vocalist Marlena Shaw will make her debut at Feinstein's at the Nikko for two performances only - Saturday, October 11 (7 p.m.) and Sunday, October 12 (7 p.m.) Backed by the Marlena Shaw Quartet, Shaw will feature an evening of her greatest hits from throughout her 40-plus year career. Tickets for Marlena Shaw range in price from $35 - $50 and are available now by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its performances, September 17 through the 28th. Details below!

Urban Momfare has been selected to extend its run at the FringeNYC Encore Series after a critically acclaimed run at the 2014 New York International Fringe Festival in August. Book by Pamela Weiler Grayson and Alice Jankell, music and lyrics by Pamela Weiler Grayson, directed by Alice Jankell and musical direction by Clare Cooper. Urban Momfare is being produced by Emerging Artists Theatre Company (EAT). A workshop performance of the musical was previously presented at EAT's New Work Series in March of 2013.

Bay Area Cabaret, devoted to presenting world-renowned artists who expand the definition of cabaret, continues its 11th season, with pioneering Tony and Emmy Award winning actress/singer Leslie Uggams in her first Bay Area appearance in more than two decades. Celebrating over 60 years in show business, Ms. Uggams has starred on television, films, and Broadway, and has recorded more than fifteen albums. Leslie Uggams will perform an evening of "Classic Uggams," a collection of songs ranging from Lena Horne to musical theatre, from Broadway classics to jazz and blues,5pm, Sunday, November 2 at the Venetian Room of the Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason Street atop Nob Hill, San Francisco. Tickets ($50 general/$45 subscribers) can be purchased by calling (415) 392-4400 or online at www.bayareacabaret.org.

Bay Area Cabaret, devoted to presenting audiences with top performers who expand the definition of cabaret, enters its 11th season this fall with a sparkling lineup at the Fairmont San Francisco's historic Venetian Room. The new season features a star-studded lineup of performers making their Bay Area Cabaret debuts, as well as the return of a few favorites. The season kicks off on Saturday, September 27, 2014 with a tribute to songwriter Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Pocahontas, Enchanted, Prince of Egypt), starring Mr. Schwartz, SNL's Ana Gasteyer, Broadway's Liz Callaway and Michael McCorry Rose. The season continues November 2 with Tony winner Leslie Uggams (Hallelujah, Baby!, Beulah, Roots) and December 7 with Andrew Lloyd Webber protege and star of Broadway's Phantom of the Opera and Little Mermaid Sierra Boggess.

New York City Ballet's annual Fall Gala will once again celebrate ballet and fashion with a program that will include three world premiere ballets by Justin Peck, Liam Scarlett, and Troy Schumacher, as well as existing works by Peter Martins and Christopher Wheeldon, all featuring costumes designed by an international roster of some of the fashion world's most renowned talents: Thom Browne, Sarah Burton, Valentino Garavani, Carolina Herrera, and Mary Katrantzou. The one- time-only gala evening will take place on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, opening New York City Ballet's four-week Fall Season at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.