Staples & LaVette in an Evening of Blues, Gospel, and R&B

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 2007
Media Contact:
Amy Moum, 860-444-4406;
amy@gardearts.org

(New London, CT) Soul and gospel legend MAVIS STAPLES joins with blues diva BETTYE LaVETTE for an extraordinary evening with two of the most recognizable voices of this century on Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 8:00 pm in an event co-presented with Kitchings Productions and sponsored by ShopRite of Norwich and New London.

Dec 12, 2007 4:22 PM - Soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples possesses one of the most recognizable and treasured voices in contemporary music and is an inspirational force in modern popular culture and music. We'll Never Turn Back, the 2007 release from this Lifetime Grammy Award-winner and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee, is "a mission statement to her greatness...Mavis Staples doesn't so much sing a song as baptize it in greatness." (Boston Globe)

Bettye LaVette is one of the greatest ‘under-recognized’ soul singers in American music history. A self-described "song stylist and phraser", LaVette's 2007 release The Scene of the Crime showcases her unique sound on covers of artists from Willie Nelson to Elton John, along with original tunes. "LaVette's nuanced singing evokes prime Tina Turner with even more command.” (Rolling Stone) The album is without a doubt the finest of a career spanning four decades, earning her a Best Contemporary Blues Album Grammy nomination for 2007.

In December, both artists were recognized by amazon.com among the Top 10 Albums of 2007, with Staples voted #5 in Gospel and LaVette voted #2 in R&B.

Tickets for MAVIS STAPLES AND BETTYE LaVETTE ($30-$58) are now on sale to the general public through the Garde Box Office, (860) 444-7373 or online at www.gardearts.org.

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CALENDAR LISTING

What: MAVIS STAPLES & BETTYE LaVETTE
An evening of soul and gospel with two of the most recognizable voices of the 20th century, Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee Mavis Staples and 2007 Grammy Award nominee Bettye LaVette. Co-presented with Kitchings Productions. Sponsored by ShopRite of New London and Norwich.

When: Thursday, January 24, 2008 | 8:00 pm

Ticket Prices: Orchestra $38, Garde Circle $58, Loge $48, Balcony $30

Box Office: (860) 444-7373

Online Ticketing: http://www.gardearts.org/

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MEDIA INFO

For high resolution photos and interviews, please contact Amy Moum, amy@gardearts.org

ARTIST WEBLINKS

http://www.bettyelavette.com/
http://mavisstaples.com/

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Now in its eighty-first season, the Garde Arts Center is southeastern Connecticut’s non-profit center for the performing arts. The Garde owns and operates the historic Garde Theatre where it presents musicals, opera, orchestras, contemporary music, dance, and family events. The Garde produces the annual New London Film Festival, and provides after-school programs and matinee performances to more than 10,000 young people. Under the leadership of Steve Sigel, Executive Director, since 1988, the Garde has become a major catalyst for the cultural and economic revitalization of New London.

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