Cabaret star to appear for Black History Month concert

Thursday, February 9, 2006, By News Staff

Cabaret star to appear for Black History Month concertFebruary 09, 2006The Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation and Syracuse University will again partner to celebrate Black History Month with an annual jazz cabaret concert. This year’s featured guest is acclaimed singer, entertainer, speaker, activist and actress Nicole Henry. The event will be held at the Panasci Lounge of the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center on Sunday, Feb. 19, from 4-7 p.m.

Tickets are available in advance at the Schine Center Box Office. Admission is $3 with college I.D., $5 for the public. Call the Schine Center Box Office for more information at 443-4517.

The event starts with an “A Cappella Showcase” featuring four of SU’s vocal groups, which will compete in a friendly contest of unaccompanied vocal talent. The groups represented will be Groovestand, The Mandarins, Orange Appeal and Main Squeeze. Students are encouraged to attend to support their favorites. Immediately following the showcase, Henry will take the stage for a show with her jazz trio.

This marks the second year that the presenters have brought a national artist to Syracuse for this expanding event. According to organizer Larry Luttinger, “It was inevitable that we bring Nicole here eventually, and I’m glad it turned out to be for this cabaret. Her career is taking off like a rocket. She’s the proverbial ‘complete package,’ and she’s been on our radar for several years due to the constant urging of Eric Cohen, program director at WAER Jazz 88. One listen and look at this fresh new talent and anyone would agree that Nicole is capable of becoming the next Vanessa Williams.”

Jazz Times has called Henry “the sort of big belter who easily earns iconic status .? She can sell a power ballad as well as Whitney, Diana, Patti LaBelle ? or any of those other dream girl shouters.” Henry has performed for thousands at jazz festivals, the Rainbow Room with Cab Calloway, fundraisers for charitable causes such as AIDS awareness and Youth Education and Development, as well as for the Democratic National Convention and Congressional Black Caucus. Her 2005 release, “Teach Me Tonight,” scored in the top five albums added to all jazz radio stations, even topping the charts in Japan. She has appeared in many films and commercials and is the music host of “Artstreet” on PBS station WLRN in South Florida.

The Panasci Lounge will be converted into a concert jazz club for the occasion. Light food and refreshments will be served. Seating is limited.