Colston Hall boxoffice
What's On: April 2008
Mavis Staples
Mavis Staples
Support from Jhelisa Anderson
8pm
£17.50
‘Down in Mississippi’ brings you a unique concert featuring two of the most amazing, powerful and soulful voices singing a repertoire of songs from Gospel to those which challenged racial segregation in the U.S.A.
From her formative years with the Staples Singers, Mavis Staples performed for the likes of JFK and Martin Luther King. In her remarkable solo career, Mavis has worked her vocal magic on the highways and byways of gospel, folk, soul and blues. En route she has shared stage and studio with everyone from Prince and Dylan to Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin. In these very special concerts, the first lady of US gospel revisits Staples Singers classics ('I'll Take You There', 'Respect Yourself' and more) as well as songs from the Civil Rights era revisited on 2007’s Ry Cooder-produced solo outing 'We'll Never Turn Back'.
"A glorious baptism of deep-rooted soul and uplifting gospel from a bona fides music legend! An almost superhuman ability to implant the pure power of passion and emotion." Rolling Stone
A perfect foil for Mavis comes with support from Jhelisa and her three piece band including acclaimed jazz pianist Robert Mitchell. Jhelisa Anderson, born in Jackson, Mississippi, comes from a gospel singing family with Jhelisa's father on the piano and organ. Her Aunt was the voice of the JBs, Vicki Anderson and her cousin Carleen Anderson of the Young Disciples. Jhelisa came to UK attention in the Acid Jazz scene of the early 90’s with her big hit, the cool funk tune, 'Friendly Pressure'. During her career she has sung with artists including Bjork, Bryan Ferry, Courtney Pine, Massive Attack and Chaka Khan. Her latest project covers the work of Nina Simone and Jhelisa is one of the few singers able to give justice to such a formidable voice and composer.