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Jazz Legacy Project brings Billie Holiday tribute to Morganton
‘Billie Holiday: God Bless the Child’ explores how she developed
her unmistakable vocal style and highlights her role as a
trailblazer paving the way for generations of artists to come.
FOR THE PAPER
Billie Holiday’s voice — smoky, intimate and unmistakable — still echoes through American music, and that legacy will take center stage in Morganton next month.
The Jazz Legacy Project will present “Billie Holiday: God Bless the Child” on Friday, April 17, at the CoMMA Performing Arts Center, featuring vocalist and actress Maria Howell.
The multimedia production explores the life and influence of Holiday, one of the most celebrated jazz singers of the 20th century. Known for her distinctive phrasing and sense of rhythm, she reshaped jazz vocals while breaking barriers as a Black artist. The program traces how she developed her signature style and the impact she continues to have on generations of musicians.
Blending live music with narration, images and video, the performance offers an immersive and educational look at Holiday’s life and artistry.
Howell headlines the production, bringing both musical and acting experience to the role. A versatile performer, she has appeared in television series including “Army Wives,” Devious Maids,” “Revolution,” “Aquarius,” “Criminal Minds,” “The Resident,” and “Delilah.” Her film credits include “The Blind Side,” “Addicted,” “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and the Oscar-nominated “Hidden Figures.” She also currently appears in a recurring role on the daytime drama “Beyond the Gates.”
Tickets range from $18 to $48 for adults and $10 for youth, plus tax. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the CoMMA box office at 828-433-7469 or visit commaonline.org.
— AKC
Wayne Henderson comes to Happy Valley
Wayne Henderson & Friends will perform a spring concert April 12
at the Chapel of Rest in Happy Valley.
FOR THE PAPER
Happy Valley is going to get more spirited next month.
Wayne Henderson & Friends will perform a spring concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 12, at the Chapel of Rest in Happy Valley.
Henderson, a musician and luthier from Rugby, Va., is often described as “Paganini and Stradivari combined into one man.” A full-time instrument builder, he is known for a distinctive fingerpicking style that uses a thumbpick and fingerpicks to produce the sound of flatpicking, with fast, precise, and clean notes.
His handcrafted guitars, mandolins, and violins are known for their tone and craftsmanship. A recipient of the 1995 American Heritage Award, Henderson is a virtuoso in the Appalachian folk tradition.
He has won more than 300 ribbons at fiddlers conventions and has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall and the Smithsonian Institution. He also toured internationally with the Masters of the String Guitar Tour and performed during the 1992 presidential inauguration.
The Chapel of Rest is about 9 miles north of Lenoir at 1964 N.C. 268 in Happy Valley. Admission is $20 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. To reserve a seat, contact Mary Ervin at maryervin9@gmail.com. The concert is sponsored by Friends of the Chapel.
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