Mavis Staples News

New York City public radio station WFUV (90.7 FM, wfuv.org) has partnered with 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting and ANTI- Records to promote the release of Raise Your Voice!, a 16-track compilation of music from ANTI- artists being offered as a free download to advocates for public broadcasting.

Imagine having the best view of a stage hosting the groove of Esperanza Spalding, The Decemberists' storytelling, the rowdy stomp of Gogol Bordello, the smooth Anat Cohen and the slow burning M. Ward

In a rare collaboration, iconic Australian singer/songwriter, Paul Kelly, teams up with internationally renowned jazz musician Paul Grabowsky, to create Meet Me In The Middle of the Air - a musical triumph of heavenly proportions! The two esteemed musicians will be joined on stage by members of the Australian Art Orchestra, Vika and Linda Bull and the Choir With No Name for these unique performances.

The 41st edition of one of the longest-running, free, outdoor festivals in the U.S.-Lincoln Center Out of Doors-opens on Wednesday, July 27 with two premieres that are a study in contrasts.

Imagine having the best view of a stage hosting the groove of Esperanza Spalding, The Decemberists' storytelling, the rowdy stomp of Gogol Bordello, the smooth Anat Cohen and the slow burning M. Ward

The 41st edition of one of the longest-running, free, outdoor festivals in the U.S.-Lincoln Center Out of Doors-opens on Wednesday, July 27 with two premieres that are a study in contrasts.

The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, opening in downtown Kansas City, Missouri on September 16, 2011, announced today its 2011-2012 season, featuring a diverse array of classical, jazz, and pop music, opera, ballet and contemporary dance, Broadway, comedy, lectures, and more.

Multi-platinum superstar Jennifer Hudson will make her debut Festival performance, joined by R&B/Funk icon Chaka Khan and the reunion of New Edition at the 2011 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL celebrating the 'Roots of R&B' July 1, 2 and 3 in New Orleans. In addition, Kem, Miguel, Naughty By Nature, Doug E. Fresh, Marsha Ambrosius, Mavis Staples, Eric Benet, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Trin-i-tee 5:7 and Brian Courtney Wilson have been added to the previously announced line-up, which includes Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, Jill Scott, Charlie Wilson, Boyz II Men, Fantasia, George Clinton, Macy Gray and more.

England's folk singer/guitarist and activist Billy Bragg stirs things up on this side of the Atlantic when he brings his Big Busk to Lincoln Center on Wednesday, July 27 to open New York's long-running, free summer festival, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, with a community musical happening.

ESSENCE is proud to announce that multi-platinum selling, chart- topping, Grammy award-winning powerhouse USHER will headline the 2011 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL being held July 1, 2, and 3 in New Orleans.

Singer-songwriter Phoebe Snow passed away from complications from a stroke that she suffered last year. She was 60 years old.

The schedule for this summer's Lincoln Center Out of Doors festival, which runs from July 27 to August 14, was announced today by Bill Bragin, Lincoln Center's Director of Public Programming.

In a rare collaboration, iconic Australian singer/songwriter, Paul Kelly, teams up with internationally renowned jazz musician Paul Grabowsky, to create Meet Me In The Middle of the Air - a musical triumph of heavenly proportions! The two esteemed musicians will be joined on stage by members of the Australian Art Orchestra, Vika and Linda Bull and the Choir With No Name for these unique performances.

Multi-platinum superstar Jennifer Hudson will make her debut Festival performance, joined by R&B/Funk icon Chaka Khan and the reunion of New Edition at the 2011 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL celebrating the 'Roots of R&B' July 1, 2 and 3 in New Orleans.

Multi-platinum superstar Jennifer Hudson will make her debut Festival performance, joined by R&B/Funk icon Chaka Khan and the reunion of New Edition at the 2011 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL celebrating the 'Roots of R&B' July 1, 2 and 3 in New Orleans. In addition, Kem, Miguel, Naughty By Nature, Doug E. Fresh, Marsha Ambrosius, Mavis Staples, Eric Benet, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Trin-i-tee 5:7 and Brian Courtney Wilson have been added to the previously announced line-up, which includes Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, Jill Scott, Charlie Wilson, Boyz II Men, Fantasia, George Clinton, Macy Gray and more.

Brown Bird has a tendency towards the dark side. Pulling from the influences of the blues, outlaw country, roots rock, early American folk, Gypsy and Eastern European music, they offer harmonized voices, haunting lyrics and diverse rhythm and instrumentation, which surges in waves that often swell into high-spirited, foot-stomping madness.