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PATTI AUSTIN AND RAMSEY LEWIS TO PERFORM AT THE REICHHOLD CENTER FOR THE ARTS

January 21, 2010

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           The Reichhold Center for the Arts is ready to take audiences on a journey through time with Grammy award winners Patti Austin and Ramsey Lewis. With two of the biggest names in jazz music, the Reichhold Center is giving patrons two concerts for the price of one. The show is slated for Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 8 p.m.
            Patti Austin will open the show with her unique vocal mixture of pop, jazz and musical tributes. Ramsey Lewis performs next, with piano stylings of his greatest songs, from slow and soothing to more upbeat. The two will end the night on stage together with Lewis on piano, backing Austin on vocals.
           From her debut at the Apollo Theater in 1953, to her 2008 receipt of a Grammy award for Best Jazz Vocal Album for “Avant Gershwin,” Patti Austin has made remarkable strides as a musician. Austin is known for hit pop songs such as “Baby, Come To Me,” “Say you Love Me,” “Through the Test of Time” and “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” with James Ingram. Austin has enjoyed great popularity in the jazz industry. In 2002, she paid tribute to Ella Fitzgerald with an album titled “For Ella.”
           Austin has worked with some of the top names in the music industry, such as Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and Johnny Mathis. To date she has released well over 20 albums.
           Also taking to the Reichhold stage that evening will be American jazz composer, pianist and radio personality Ramsey Lewis.
           Lewis’ longstanding career has afforded him more than 80 records, five gold records and three Grammy awards. He is known for hit songs such as “The In Crowd,” “Wade in the Water,” “Hang on Sloopy” and “Sun Goddess.” Joining The Cleffs jazz band at the age of 15 was Lewis’ first involvement with jazz. This involvement led to a greater appreciation for the musical genre and the start of Lewis’ own band: the Ramsey Lewis Trio. Much of his very creative work attracted a large non-jazz audience. Lewis’ musical style included the playing of the electric piano and acoustic.
           Today, Lewis serves on the Board of Trustees for the Merit School of Music, The Chicago High School for the Arts as well as other music school programs. His self-named foundation, which was formed in 2005, connects at-risk children to the world of music.
           Tickets for the show are $60, $50 and $40. Purchase online at www.reichholdcenter.com or at any of the ticket outlets: Urban Threadz, Essentric Shoe Boutique, VI Bridal and Tuxedo, Home Again, Connections and UVI Bookstore, or call the Reichhold Center Box Office at (340) 693-1559.
           Sponsors include: International Capital and Management Company, First Bank, First Insurance, VI Lottery, VI Waste Management Authority, VI Council on the Arts, Tropical Shipping, Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Resort and Innovative Cable TV.

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