Regina Carter and Nnenna Freelon Set for Royal Conservatory Concert Today

Regina Carter and Nnenna Freelon will replace the previously announced Tony and Grammy winner Dee Dee Bridgewater in today's December 14, 2013 concert celebrating the 90th birthdays of Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan. The Royal Conservatory congratulates Ms. Bridgewater on her role in the upcoming off-Broadway production of Lady Day, in which she will portray legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday. The production begins September 12, which is the reason Ms. Bridgewater had to cancel her Conservatory appearance in December.

Regina Carter is a renowned American jazz violinist, known for her improvisational skills and incorporating a variety of influences, including Motown, swing, bebop, folk, Afro-Cuban, and world music. As a MacArthur Fellow - a recipient of what is commonly known as the "genius grant" - she has been able to record her latest album of primarily African folk tunes, Reverse Thread. Through this and her other recordings, incessant touring, and various guest appearances and collaborations, Carter has developed into a distinctly diverse musical personality. She has repeatedly toured throughout the world, was the first jazz artist and African American to play Niccolo Paganini's famed Guarneri "Cannon" violin, has been featured with several symphony orchestras, and performed with artists as diverse as Aretha Franklin, Lauryn Hill, Billy Joel, Kenny Barron, and Mary J. Blige.

Six-time Grammy Award nominee, Nnenna Freelon is an American jazz singer, composer, producer, and arranger, as well as a budding actress. Her recent TV appearances include The Charlie Rose Show, Weekend Today, and In Performance at the White House. The versatile songstress quickly paired those notable turns with a featured song on TV's No. 1 cable hit Mad Men. She has twice been nominated for the "Lady of Soul" Soul Train Award and has performed and toured with a veritable who's who in music, from Ray Charles and Ellis Marsalis to Al Jarreau and George Benson, among many others.

The Conservatory regrets the inconvenience and ticket buyers have the option of keeping their existing tickets, which will be valid for the Regina Carter and Nnenna Freelon performance, exchanging into a different RC Presents concert during our current or 2013-14 season, exchanging to a gift card, or obtaining a refund.

The TD Jazz: Celebrating Dinah and Sarah series kicks off with Joe Sealy joined by three of Canada's finest vocalists Jackie Richardson, Arlene Duncan, and Ranee Lee on October 19. The celebrations continue with Ramsey Lewis Quintet with Cécile McLorin Salvant on November 16 and on April 26 with the Terri Lyne Carrington's Mosaic Project, featuring Lalah Hathaway and Nona Hendryx, with Geri Allen, Tia Fuller, and Ingrid Jensen. The series concludes with Kurt Elling and Denzal Sinclaire on May 10.

TD Jazz: Celebrating Dinah and Sarah
Joe Sealy with Jackie Richardson, Arlene Duncan, and Ranee Lee: Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 8pm; starting at $40
Ramsey Lewis Quintet with Cécile McLorin Salvant: Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 8pm; starting at $45
Regina Carter and Nnenna Freelon: Tonight, December 14, 2013 at 8pm; starting at $35
Terri Lyne Carrington's Mosaic Project featuring Lalah Hathaway and Nona Hendryx with Geri Allen, Tia Fuller,
and Ingrid Jensen: Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 8pm; starting at $35
Kurt Elling and Denzal Sinclaire: Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 8pm; starting at $35

Tickets are available online at www.performance.rcmusic.ca, by calling 416.408.0208,
or in person at the Weston Family Box Office. Create your own package: select any 4-6 concerts and save 10%; select any 7+ concerts and save 15%. All concerts take place at The Royal Conservatory's TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto.

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