Jazz Violinist Regina Carter Pays Tribute To Ella Fitzgerald At SOPAC, 3/23

South Orange Performing Arts Center is proud to present Jazz violinist Regina Carter in Simply Ella, a tribute to the sublime Ella Fitzgerald, on Friday, March 23 at 8 p.m. A hundred years after her birth, the ever-eloquent Ella Fitzgerald continues to teach us lessons. Regina Carter has chosen this moment to celebrate the First Lady of Song's infectious and inclusive artistry with unabashed joy.

For Sony Masterworks artist Regina Carter, the violin isn't simply an improvisational vehicle; it's a passport to unexpected realms. Her quest for beauty combined with her passion for excellence did not escape the attention of the MacArthur Foundation, which awarded Regina their prestigious MacArthur fellowship "genius grant." Regina Carter's musical journey has always taken her to deeply personal spaces, and inspiration has come through her family, her roots and her love of Jazz.

"Ms. Carter is widely considered the finest jazz violinist of her generation, a hard-charging soloist whose precisely focused tone and graceful way with a ballad hint at her long years of classical training." - The New York Times

Regina Carter explains her deep connection to Ella's music, an influence Regina has cherished throughout her life, "Growing up in Detroit, there was always music playing in our home. While there was a variety of music I enjoyed, there were a few artists I found consistently captivating-Ella Fitzgerald was one of these exceptions. To this very day, whenever I hear an Ella recording it grabs me at my core. I'm entranced by her voice, her melodic improvisations and the passion and artfulness with which Ella sings a song. In a word, Ella is sublime, and she is at the top of my go-to list when learning a Jazz tune. I'm so excited to celebrate Ella Fitzgerald, an artist who has meant so much to all the notes in my musical life."

SOPAC audiences will find that Regina Carter's Simply Ella will be an event that can't be missed, and a Jazz performance to be long remembered.

Regina Carter will grace the SOPAC stage on Friday, March 23 at 8PM. Tickets are $35-$48 and are on sale online at http://www.sopacnow.org/regina-carter or by calling the box office at (973) 313-2787.

SOPAC programs are made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is a 501(c)(3)charitable organization.

Since 2006, SOPAC has been serving as a premier performing arts center in the region. SOPAC offers innovative artistic and cultural experiences for diverse audiences in an intimate, inviting environment. The premier arts center hosts a variety of live performances, community events and education programs for all ages. To further expand its offerings, SOPAC has a partnership with the Juilliard School of Music to present Juilliard @ SOPAC-a series featuring upcoming musicians from the acclaimed conservatory. SOPAC is home for Seton Hall University Arts Council's performances, including Classical Concert Series, Jazz 'N the Hall performances and Seton Hall University Theatre productions. SOPAC also presents performances by its professional theater company in-residence, American Theater Group. For more information, visit SOPACnow.org.