1200 East Center Street
Kingsport, TN 37660
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bonnie Macdonald
Connye Florance brings the "Colors of Jazz" to Kingsport, TN Renaissance Center Theatre, February 9, 2012
Cultural Arts Division of Parks and Recreation is pleased to present jazz singer Connye Florance in concert at the Kingsport Renaissance Center on Thursday, February 9 at 7:00 PM. Reserved seating is available for the concert, tickets are $12. Tickets are available by calling 423-392-8417 or on-line at www.EngageKingsport.com
Immerse yourself in a rainbow collection of classic jazz tunes and popular melodies to soothe and inspire. "Colors of Jazz" delights with a full evening of celebration and song, featuring a rainbow collection of classic jazz standards and contemporary tunes. Connye Florance delivers her soulful "velvet & wine" vocals, backed by a stellar ensemble of musicians, in a multi-colored wash of spectacular melodies and familiar favorites - from the Blues to Broadway…from The Cotton Club to American radio and film.
Immerse yourself in the colors of jazz…Bold and fully infused with history and heritage that have painted the landscape of American music in beauteous fashion. Enjoy works by Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen and other legendary jazz artists alongside popular contemporary standards by America's favorites.
As the youngest of five in a family of musicians, Connye didn't have to look far for encouragement when her love of singing took off. "There was just always music in the house …" she recalls of her childhood in North Carolina — either (my) daddy …playing the piano, stomping and grunting out the groove on some Ellington tune; (my) sisters and brother rehearsing their most recent favorite, or the whole family "choired up" and singing my mother's favorite hymns whenever the crowd was gathered and the spirit struck…which was very often. We never wanted for a show."
The scope of Connye's career has included most every facet of the industry…studio, stage, television and film. She has sung jingles for Van Camps Food and Major League Baseball, hosted a PBS Literacy Link educational series produced by KET; been the voice of the "WB" on a number of Warner Brothers jingles across the country, and has even sung country…as a background vocalist on the Elton John/Tammy Wynette duet "What a Woman Needs". Her film, theater and television credits include the feature film "The Client", "Proud Heart", starring Lorrie Morgan, and the role of Ramona in the 2000 independent film festival favorite, "Existo". Connye has toured nationally with Columbia Artists and vocalist Jennifer Holliday, and as featured vocalist with Modern Jazz Tuba Project; The Nashville Jazz Orchestra and with her own award-winning trio of musicians. She has shared the stage with numerous notables, including Steinway artist Beegie Adair, Grammy award-winner Randy Brecker and vocalist and Grammy-award winning songwriter Benita Hill. Connye is a vocal performance instructor at Nashville Jazz Workshop and is enjoying the success of her one-woman show, "Jazz Rhapsody"
Tickets for the Thursday night performance are $12 each for reserved seats. . Tickets can be purchased by calling the Central Box Office at 423-392-8417 or on-line at www.EngageKingsport.com. This concert is sponsored by the Cultural Arts Division of Kingsport Parks and Recreation, Leisure Services for the City of Kingsport, TN and Engage Kingsport. Engage in the Arts!
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Jeff Fleming
Kingsport Blog
