Roseanna Vitro to Open Ware Center's Jazz in the Sky Series, 10/12

Grammy-nominated Roseanna Vitro has been selected to kick-off the Ware Center's Jazz in the Sky series Saturday, October 12th at 7:30 PM in the Grand Salon of the Ware Center, a beautiful, art-filled glass walled lounge overlooking downtown Lancaster.

The "Jazz in the Sky" series is a very popular run from October through May, 2014 of some of the East Coast's best jazz musicians and vocalists. The series is coordinated by bass player and Lancaster native Keith Mohler.

In 2012, Roseanna Vitro was nominated - along with her band - for a Grammy in the Vocal Jazz category for "The Music of Randy Newman". The project featured ten re-imagined Randy Newman songs, including "Sail Away" and "Every Time It Rains." -- which were arranged by and featured other renowned musicians. Vitro said of her nomination, "Since I have been a vocal jazz teacher for more than 15 years at New Jersey City University and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and also toured as a U.S. Jazz Ambassador, I considered that many jazz radio stations, clubs and promoters might not be hip to what a great American treasure Randy Newman is. So I knew I was taking a chance. Even though the jazz repertoire is expanding every day, there is still a divide sometimes in the jazz camp regarding what jazz is."

"When the GRAMMY nominations were released," Vitro continued, "Jeff (her manager) called me and asked, "Are you sitting down?" Then he told me I was nominated! I cried for 30 minutes in disbelief ... oh my God. It's been a long road I have traveled and I thought about the 12 albums that I've made and all the great musicians I've worked with. I'm very grateful and simply thrilled to be one of the five in my category. My nomination should inspire and remind all musicians that you do not have to be anything but true to your art."

Vitro's unique energy combined with grace and an innovative style has gained her much praise and respect from musicians and performing arts enthusiasts alike. She uses her musical skills as well as her creative imagination to tell stories through her music. The Denver Post writes "She is a creative storyteller who sings jazz like she means it, understands lyrics and knows how to caress a melody and, most of all, swings like mad."

She has served as an official Jazz Ambassador at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the U.S. State Department.

Tickets: $20 | $5 Students | $65 for a table of four. Reserve by calling 717-872-3811; Online, at artsmu.com; In person at the Ware Center Box Office or the SMC Building on the Millersville Campus. Ticket Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM- 4:00 PM. If available, tickets will also be sold one-hour prior to the performance. However, space is limited, so guests are encouraged to reserve in advance.

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