Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Jane Monheit to perform the music of Judy Garland
Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Jane Monheit will pay tribute to the jazzier side of the legendary Judy Garland with “Hello Bluebird, Celebrating the Jazz of Judy Garland” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28.
Presented by the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech, the performance will be held in the Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre, located within the Moss Arts Center’s Street and Davis Performance Hall at 190 Alumni Mall.
Monheit is a favorite in both the jazz and cabaret worlds, known for her sincere and romantic interpretations of songs. Monheit has released 10 albums and toured some of the world’s most revered jazz venues. For this performance, Monheit will perform a tribute to one of her music idols.
The program will include Garland favorites, including “You Gotta Have Me Go With You,” “I Wish I Were In Love Again,” “The Sweetest Sound,” “That Old Black Magic;” a ballad medley featuring “The Boy Next Door/But Not For Me/The Man That Got Away;” and a closing medley of “Over The Rainbow/Hello Bluebird.”
Monheit will be joined by pianist Michael Kanan, bassist Neal Miner, and drummer Rick Montalbano.
Monheit was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk Institute’s vocal competition in 1998. Her first album, “Never Never Land,” released in 2000, was voted top debut recording by the Jazz Journalist’s Association and stayed on the Billboard jazz chart for over a year. Subsequent albums yielded two Grammy nominations. In addition, Monheit has worked alongside artists including Terence Blanchard, Tom Harrell, and Ivan Lins.
Before Monheit’s performance, local group the Highlands Jazz Quintet will play selections from its standard repertoire in the third-floor lobby of the Street and Davis Performance Hall. Beginning at 6:15 p.m., the event is open to the public. Hors d'oeuvres will be served, and a cash bar will be available.
The Highlands Jazz Quartet organized in 2008 and performs regularly in local venues. The quintet features Justin Craig on guitar, Lou Madsen on tenor sax, Paul Deck on piano, Nick Romantini on bass, and Bill Ray on drums. The group recorded its first album, “2 Degrees East 3 Degrees West,” in 2012.
Immediately after the performance, Monheit will be available in the Moss Arts Center Grand Lobby for a free CD signing event. Her CDs will be available for purchase.
Tickets
Tickets are $40 to $75 for general public and $10 for students and youth 18 years old and under. Tickets can be purchased online; at the Moss Arts Center's box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; or by calling 540-231-5300.
Parking is available in the North End Parking Garage on Turner Street. Virginia Tech faculty and staff possessing a valid Virginia Tech parking permit can enter and exit the garage free of charge. Limited street parking also is available. Parking on Alumni Mall is free after 5 p.m. weekdays and on weekends.
