Cassandra Wilson comes to Sydney Opera House for her Aussie debut
A true icon of soulful jazz and blues, Cassandra Wilson is visiting Australia for the first time in nearly a decade this June. Proclaimed “America’s Best Singer” by Time Magazine, the two-time Grammy Award winner will make her Sydney Opera House debut in the Concert Hall on June 15 as part of Music at the House.
Wilson will be accompanied by her sextet, comprising some of the world’s finest jazz musicians; Brandon Ross (guitars), Charlie Burnham (violin), Lonnie Plaxico (bass), Mino Cinelu (percussion) and Gregoire Maret (harmonica).
The Mississippi-born singer, songwriter, and guitarist was a founding member of the soul-funk outfit M-Base Collective before launching her stellar solo career. Her landmark 1993 Blue Note release Blue Light ‘Til Dawn paved the way for a new generation of jazz singers, and was recently named one of The Guardian’s 50 key events in the history of jazz.
She has continued to interpret vintage blues, country and folk music in fresh and creative ways, collaborating with icons such as Bill Frisell, Elvis Costello, Terence Blanchard and Angelique Kidjo.
In addition to two Grammys, Wilson has received a truckload of awards, including the 2012 Echo Jazz Female Singer of the Year Award, the Miles Davis Prize, the Django D’Or, and the Edison Music Award. She also lays claim to a Pulitzer Prize for her contribution to fellow Delta native and jazz great Wynton Marsalis’ 1997 jazz oratorio ‘Blood On The Fields’ – the first jazz work to receive the prestigious award. She also held dominion over the DownBeat Critics Poll for 11 consecutive years from 1996, and again from 2008-2012.
Now at age 57, Wilson’s musical curiosity has not waned and she continues to evolve her art form and transcend musical genres, interpreting jazz in fresh and creative ways. On her 18th album, “Another Country”, released in 2012, she delves into new territory with touches of Italian, flamenco, bossa nova and classical music.
With her enthralling stage presence and velvety contralto voice, Cassandra Wilson captivates from the moment she steps onto the stage. Her highly anticipated debut in the Concert Hall will be nothing short of legendary.
What: Cassandra Wilson
When: Saturday, 15 June 2013, 9.00pm
Where: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House