Famed singer to perform concert at First Church, Simsbury, CT

The music department at First Church, Simsbury CT, will present, as the final part of this year’s concert series, a special cabaret performance by outstanding jazz, R & B and New Orleans artist Wanda Houston. The concert is on Friday, May 8^th, at 7:00 PM, in Palmer Hall at First Church of Christ – 689 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT.

Palmer Hall, the church’s great gathering hall, will be decked out with candles and decorations on each table, and there will be light fare and beverages available as you sit with friends and enjoy a mesmerizing mix of jazz and R&B music in a fun, informal atmosphere on a warm spring evening.

Houston, a Chicago native who has come to call the Berkshires “home” after touring internationally, is known throughout the region as the “Berkshire Diva”. Born in the West Side of Chicago to a theatrical and musical family, she received a degree in music from USC with a focus in opera, and after college was in Los Angeles for two decades. While there, she has had starring roles in movies such as “The Christmas Path” with Shia Lebouf, "Romance and Cigarettes" with Susan Sarendon, among others. On Broadway she received rave reviews for her role in “A Good Swift Kick” (the New York Times called her performance “fantastic), and was in “A Streetcar named Desire “with John C. Reilly.
She has performed with Mary Wells, Martha and the Vandellas, and the Platters, and was in the cast of Michael Jackson’s production of “Sisterella”, and has toured through Germany, Austria and Australia.

Her project, known as the “HBH Band”, consists of some exceptional and seasoned area musicians: Berklee grad and area teacher and performer Jay Bradley on drums, and keyboardist Scott Heth, also a long-time Western CT and Berkshire performer, on the grand piano. Added to this mix will be Charlie Tokarz – a celebrated area master of the saxophone, flute and clarinet, also a music teacher. These guys are not only known as great musicians; they are also respected educators, seeking to further the musicianship of talented up-and-coming players in this extremely creative part of New England.

Audience members will be able to experience the magic of this music at close range, and the relaxed atmosphere with the incredible voice of Wanda Houston with this group of brilliant players, should make for an enjoyable, exciting, inspired, unforgettable evening of amazing music.

Suggested donation: $25.00; Tickets are available in advance through the church office and at the door, unless sold out. For more information contact Mark Mercier, Director of Music Ministries at 860-651-3593, or by email atmmercier@fccsimsbury.org