Essential Women Of Jazz Concert Set for Ware Center, 10/23

20th Annual Billie Holiday Vocal Competition winner Kerensa Gray will perform "Jazz Legends: The Essential Women of Jazz" on Friday, October 23 at 7:30 pm in the Ware Center's atrium. Kerensa Gray is often compared to the likes of jazz royalty - Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, and contemporaries such as Diana Krall. This performance is a look back at the women of jazz who continue to captivate generations with their unique voices and stories woven into the history of this country, as well as a glimpse of some favorite contemporaries. All tickets include complimentary beverage service which begins at 7:00 PM with concerts beginning at 7:30 PM. The Ware Center is located at 42 N. Prince Street, Lancaster.

Finding her voice first in string studies as a gifted violin student, Kerensa began working with Frostburg State University orchestra while still attending middle school. These early years fostered an unquenchable love for music and encouraged a budding artist to discover the music of her own soul. As a gifted songwriter, this dynamic vocalist brings fresh insight and infectious energy to her approach of beloved classics and a transparency in her songwriting that speaks to that for which we all yearn - truth without compromise. Kerensa's music finds balance in her ability to skilfully interweave melodies of jazz, blues, and folk music into a sound that is undeniably and uniquely her, while her talent as a gifted vocalist unearths yet unseen perspectives into the standards that are the soundtracks to our lives. She has shared the stage with artists such as Stellar Award Winner Isaiah Thomas, and opened for Grammy and Dove award winners CeCe Winans and Vickie Winans.

T.W. Burger of the Gettysburg Times writes, "She puts a lot into it, her hands turning and clenching in the air, as though to squeeze every ounce of emotion out of each song. She doesn't just sing; she wrenches each song out of the ether."

Kerensa is excited to offer her current CD project "Bliss" in cooperation with Nashville, TN based Creative Soul Jazz and producer Eric Copeland, featuring jazz legend Gary Lunn on bass and Tom Hemby on guitar. Keep your eyes open for her next album, "Take me in", to be released this fall.

Tickets are $25 reserved seating and can be purchased online by visiting ArtsMU.com or by calling 717-871-7600. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Ticket Office located in the Student Memorial Center on Millersville's campus, or the Ware Center, located at 42 N. Prince Street, in Lancaster. Doors open one hour before each show for ticket sales, subject to availability.

The Millersville University Visual and Performing Arts Season is made possible by support from Season Platinum Partner Rodgers & Associates and Gold Season Sponsors Aussie and the Fox and Hagelgans & Veronis, and Silver Season Sponsors Clipper Magazine, The Hotel Lancaster, 12:34 MicroTechnologies, and Weber Advertising. First Friday Music Stage is sponsored by Fine Living Lancaster. This season's Luminary Donors include Ann Barshinger, John & Susan Garofola, Mary Burton & Laurent Horne, Linda Holman Marcks, William McIlwaine, Peggy Neff, Mary Kearns & Jon Walker, and Paul & Judy Ware.

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