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Cassandra Wilson one-night-only at Miami University

Grammy Award-winning jazz musician, vocalist, songwriter and producer, Cassandra Wilson, will be performing on Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Hall Auditorium, 101 S. Campus Ave, on Miami University’s Oxford campus. Wilson’s 2015 tour is an otherworldly musical homage to legendary jazz vocalist Billie Holiday on the 100th anniversary of the singer's birth. "A dream of mine is happening," said Wilson, "I've been in love with Billie Holiday's voice since the moment I heard it, and she has inspired me throughout my career."

In 2015, Cassandra Wilson joined forces with the prestigious label, Legacy, a subsidiary of Sony Music. Her latest release, Coming Forth by Day, will be released on the 100th anniversary of Billie Holiday's birth, April 7, 2015. Acclaimed by Time Magazine as “America’s Best Singer,”Cassandra Wilson began playing piano at six, guitar by the age of 12 and was working as a vocalist by the mid-'70s, singing a wide variety of material. After moving to New York City in the early 80s, Cassandra met saxophonist Steve Coleman and became one of the founding members of the M-Base Collective. At the completion of her stint with M-Base, Cassandra sought a more acoustic context for her vocal expression. She signed with Blue Note Records in 1992 and released a landmark album titled “Blue Light ‘Til Dawn” which would pave the way for a new generation of jazz singers seeking an approach and repertoire that challenged the supremacy of the American Standard songbook. Wilson has continued interpreting vintage blues, country and folk music in fresh and creative ways through the present day.

Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday, also known as Lady Day, was a true artist of her day and rose as a social phenomenon in the 1950s. Her soulful, unique singing voice and her ability to boldly turn any material that she confronted into her own music made her a superstar of her time. Today, Holiday is remembered for her masterpieces, creativity and vivacity, as many of Holiday’s songs are as well known today as they were decades ago. Holiday’s emotive voice, innovative techniques and touching songs will forever be remembered and enjoyed.

Cassandra Wilson is presented by Miami University Performing Arts Series with local sponsors Baymont Inn & Suites, Jack Keegan and Kona Bistro. Tickets for this event are $24 for adults, $23 for seniors, and $12 for students and youth. For tickets and more information, go online to www.MiamiOH.edu/PerformingArtsSeries or call the Miami Box Office at (513) 529-3200.