Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--An award-winning jazz vocalist and faculty member at New York's Manhattan School of Music will inaugurate Mississippi State's 2013-14 Lyceum Series.
Gretchen Parlato performs Sept. 19 in Lee Hall's Bettersworth Auditorium. As with all but one Lyceum events this year, her university concert will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Because of continuing renovations to Lee Hall, seating for all shows again will be general admission only.
An alumna of the Thelonious Monk Institute, Parlato has been turning heads ever since her sultry voice and rhythmically agile phrasing helped win the institute's 2004 international vocal competition.
Parlato went on to a worldwide tour and sold-out audiences. She also was invited to appear on more than 50 recordings with the likes of Terence Blanchard, Kenny Barron, Terri Lynn Carrington, and Esperanza Spalding
"In a Dream," her 2009 sophomore breakthrough release, garnered additional international acclaim, with Billboard magazine rating it as the year's "most alluring jazz vocal album." By year's end, it had reached the top polls of Jazz Times, the Boston Globe and Village Voice, and National Public Radio.
"In a Dream" was followed by "The Lost and Found." For more information--and to hear her sing--visit www.gretchenparlato.com.
In addition to Parlato, the 2013-14 Lyceum schedule includes:
--Nov. 5, the Portland Cello Project, a collective group presenting mixed genres that often blurs musical lines and perceptions;
--Dec. 4, a special Christmas show featuring the Irish Tenors;
--Feb. 20, the American Shakespeare Center cast returns with its rendition of Shakespeare's "Othello";
--Feb. 27, Koresh, a Philadelphia, Pa.-based contemporary dance company that will hold public workshops in addition to their performance; and
--April 6, Montana Repertory's presentation of "The Miracle Worker," the inspiring story of Alabama native Helen Keller. This special Sunday performance begins at 6 p.m.
Additional information on the individual shows is available at www.lyceum.msstate.edu/#!screening-room.
For Lyceum seating details, as well as ticket-purchase links and other information, visit www.lyceum.msstate.edu or telephone the Center for Student Activities at 662-325-2930.