MONTREAL/January 24, 2005—
Jeri Brown, renowned jazz vocalist and associate professor in the Department of Music at Concordia University, will be presented with the Martin Luther King Jr. Award at the 19th annual Vision Celebration Gala Fundraiser. The event, which raises funds for the Black Theatre Workshop, will take place on Saturday, January 29, at 6 p.m. at the Omni Hotel (1050 Sherbrooke St. West).
Widely acknowledged as one of the world's finest jazz vocalists, Jeri Brown is being recognized for her valuable contributions to the development of the Black performing arts and cultural life in Canada throughout her career. She joins a distinguished list of previous Martin Luther King Jr. Award winners including musicians Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones and Giller Prize winning author Austin Clarke.
She has been nominated for a JUNO award on six different occasions for Best Jazz Vocalist and for Best Jazz Album. In 2000, Brown won the praise of critics, audiences and peers alike when she took on multiple roles as playwright, co-arranger, artistic producer, lyricist, vocalist and musical director for the wildly successful one woman musical Image in the Mirror: The Triptych. In 2003, she released Firm Roots, her ninth album for the well-respected Justin Time label. Her extensive performance record includes regular tours of European and North America cities as well as several television specials. Jeri currently teaches Vocal Studies in Concordia's Department of Music.
With a mission to honour outstanding young and veteran Black artists in Canada and to support the growth and development of the company, The Vision 2005 Celebration Gala Fundraiser brings together community leaders, art lovers and citizens of Montreal to celebrate and support the talents and achievements of the Black artists who continually reshape the Canadian cultural landscape.
All proceeds from the event go towards the production of quality theatre, including mainstage productions, school tours during Black History Month, the YouthWorks performance troupe and community arts development projects.
For additional information and for interview requests, please contact Dejha Carrington, Vision Celebration Coordinator, at (514) 932-1104 ext. 223, or by e-mail at: Dejha@blacktheatreworkshop.ca
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Source :
Tanya Churchmuch
Senior Media Relations Advisor
Concordia University
