Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival Presents the U.S. Debut of Sing The Truth! featuring Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright

On Sunday, June 26, 2011, the Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival will present the U.S. debut of Sing The Truth!, a new production that honors the music and spirit of great women of jazz, folk, R&B, gospel and the blues. Featuring African-born songstress Angelique Kidjo, pre-eminent jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves, and genre-defying jazz singer Lizz Wright, this meeting of three critically-acclaimed, powerhouse vocalists will pay musical tribute to the legacies of three recently departed, iconic female artists: South African singer and civil rights activist Miriam Makeba, American jazz vocalist, actress, civil rights and political activist Abbey Lincoln, and "the Voice of the Civil Rights Movement," American folk musician and human rights activist Odetta.  Sing The Truth! will also feature songs by other great women of music, ranging from Billie Holiday to Aretha Franklin, Joan Armatrading and Lauryn Hill, along with original songs.

The original Sing The Truth! premiered as a 2004 JVC Jazz Festival concert at Carnegie Hall, New York City, and celebrated the music of Nina Simone. In 2008 and 2009, Sing The Truth! became a touring production featuring great stars in sold-out performances at renowned venues and festivals, such as the Barbican Centre (London), Jazz a Vienne (France), the National Black Arts Festival (Atlanta), the Hong Kong Arts Festival, and the Sydney Opera House (Australia).

Kidjo, Reeves and Wright became close friends and collaborators while traveling and performing together in the Sing The Truth! tour in Europe in 2009. The friendship and shared spirit among the three brilliantly talented women grew into the beginnings of a new touring show.

Following up on the original run of performances, the three women decided to open up the repertoire – to celebrate and honor songs of their most important musical heroines. It was obvious that Sing The Truth! fully embodies the spirits of Makeba, Lincoln, and Odetta, along with the songs of Ms. Holiday, Hill and many other great women.

The all-star Sing The Truth! ensemble for the Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival performance will feature Geri Allen on piano and keyboards, music director Terri Lyne Carrington on drums, James Genus on bass, Munyungo Jackson on percussion, and Romero Lubambo on guitars. This remarkable group of musicians will go everywhere and anywhere that Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright feel the music takes them. The audience will be along for a memorable ride.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center has been the site of the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival since George Wein established it in 1978.  This years festival will be Saturday, June 25th and Sunday, June 26th. Visit www.spac.org for tickets or more information.