In a special Mother’s Day concert May 13<\/span>, 7;30 p.m., at the Musikfest Caf\u00e9 presented by Yuengling, GRAMMY nominated singer Lisa Simone<\/strong>, daughter of the legendary Nina Simone, celebrates the 10th anniversary of her album \u201cSimone on Simone<\/em>,\u201d which honored her mother\u2019s legacy. A decade later Simone reunites on stage with musicians from the original recording, including the Lehigh Valley\u2019s Rob Stoneback Big Band, Craig Thatcher and Craig Kastelnik, to recreate the album. Best known for her work on Broadway originating the roles of Aida in Disney\u2019s \u201cAida,\u201d Nala in \u201cThe Lion King\u201d and Mimi Marquez in \u201cRENT,\u201d Simone has also graced the stage of New York\u2019s Carnegie Hall and Australia\u2019s Sydney Opera House, as well as worldwide jazz festivals in Telluride, Montreaux, The Olympia in Paris and more. Tickets for her show are $34-$39.<\/p>\n On May 23, 7:30 p.m.<\/span>, GRAMMY award winning contemporary jazz icons Spyro Gyra<\/strong> take the stage at the Musikfest Caf\u00e9. Performing internationally for more than 40 years, Spyro Gyra has played more than 5,000 shows on five continents. Known for hits like \u201cMorning Dance,\u201d \u201cShaker Song\u201d and \u201cCatching the Sun,\u201d in 2013 the group released its 30th<\/sup> album \u201cThe Rhinebeck Sessions,\u201d which was hailed as Jazz Album of the Year by Travis Rogers of the Jazz Journalists\u2019 Association. Tickets for the show are $49-$59.<\/p>\n On June 6, 7:30 p.m.<\/span>, RiverJazz welcomes jazz trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg<\/strong>. Winner of the 2017 JUNO Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, Skonberg is co-founder of The New York Hot Jazz Camp and New York Hot Jazz Festival and has performed at more than 100 festivals worldwide. She\u2019s also been recognized by Hot House Jazz Magazine as Best Vocalist in 2014 and Best Trumpeter in 2015, received the Outstanding Jazz Artist at the New York Bistro Awards in 2014, won a DownBeat Rising Star in 2013 and 2015, and was nominated by the Jazz Journalists\u2019 Association as Up and Coming Artist in 2013. Tickets for her show are $20-$25.<\/p>\n Celebrating its 25th<\/sup> anniversary tour in 2018, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy<\/strong> closes out the RiverJazz series June 7, 8 p.m.<\/span> Famously named after an autograph by blues legend Albert Collins, the band has appeared in concert venues across the world, sold millions of records and had its music appear in hundreds of movies and television shows. With sold out concerts from the Hollywood Bowl to Lincoln Center, appearances with many of the country’s finest symphony orchestras and television appearances ranging from Dancing with the Stars to Superbowl XXXIII, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy continues its decades long mission to celebrate and revitalize jazz and swing music and bring joy to audiences around the world. Tickets for the concert are $39-$49.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the jazz fusion of GRAMMY winners Spyro Gyra and the swing sounds of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, to Lisa Simone\u2019s moving tribute to her mother, this year\u2019s RiverJazz series showcases some of the best in jazz, blues and more,\u201d says Concannon Miller Director of Business Development & Marketing Betsy Storey-Bono. \u201cThis is Concannon Miller\u2019s seventh year as presenting sponsor of RiverJazz and the lineup keeps getting better and better. We\u2019re honored to be part of this series showcasing great national acts, as well as some of the region\u2019s most talented jazz performers. We can\u2019t wait to see everyone at SteelStacks this spring.\u201d<\/p>\n The complete list of RiverJazz headlining performances at the Musikfest Caf\u00e9 is:<\/p>\n John Popper <\/strong>(previously announced; tickets on sale now) Simone on Simone:\u00a0<\/strong>Lisa Simone with the Rob Stoneback Big Band<\/strong> Spyro Gyra<\/strong> Bria Skonberg<\/strong> Big Bad Voodoo Daddy<\/strong> In addition to the Musikfest Caf\u00e9 performances, RiverJazz presented by Concannon Miller also showcases dynamic local and regional jazz acts on SteelStacks\u2019 free stages. This year\u2019s acts include Corinne Mammana, May 13, 5 p.m.<\/span> in the Capital BlueCross Creativity Commons and The Bryan Tuk Complex, June 7, 5 p.m.<\/span> on the TD Bank Community Stage. Additional RiverJazz performances will be announced in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n Sponsors helping to make RiverJazz possible include Concannon Miller, along with 69-WFMZ-TV and WDIY Public Radio. For more information about series, visit www.steelstacks.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Information and images provided to TVL by: <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nMay 2, 7:30 p.m.<\/span>
\nMusikfest Caf\u00e9 presented by Yuengling
\nTickets: $36-$49<\/p>\n
\nA Mother\u2019s Day Tribute to the legendary Nina Simone<\/em>
\nMay 13, 7:30 p.m.<\/span>
\nMusikfest Caf\u00e9 presented by Yuengling
\nTickets: $34-$39<\/p>\n
\nMay 23, 7:30 p.m.<\/span>
\nMusikfest Caf\u00e9 presented by Yuengling
\nTickets: $49-$59<\/p>\n
\nJune 6, 7:30 p.m.<\/span>
\nMusikfest Caf\u00e9 presented by Yuengling
\nTickets: $20-$25<\/p>\n
\nJune 7, 8 p.m.<\/span>
\nMusikfest Caf\u00e9 presented by Yuengling
\nTickets: $39-$49<\/p>\n
\nMark Demko, ArtsQuest
\nhttp:\/\/www.artsquest.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\n![](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/inpostblank.jpg?w=474&ssl=1\"){kind=spacer}
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