Jazz Series Sponsored by:

“…by the time (her show) was over, there was no doubt that Freelon has now positioned herself in the very top echelon of jazz vocalists.” – The Los Angeles Times

A woman of countless talents, six-time Grammy Award nominee Nnenna Freelon is a compelling artist, writer, composer, and producer who captivates audiences in any setting and in any genre. No stranger to the music of the master singer, Freelon toured with master jazz singer Ray Charles as well as Al Jarreau, George Benson, Benny Golson, Ellis Marsalis, Earl Klugh, Ramsey Lewis, TAKE 6, Kirk Whalum, and several others.

Freelon triumphed in composer Laura Karpman’s undertaking of Langston Hughes’ “Ask Your Mama” at the Apollo Theater, at an astounding Hollywood Bowl concert with Jessye Norman and the Roots, and at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival with the Duke Ellington-inspired “Dreaming The Duke” featuring Harolyn Blackwell and Mike Garson. 

In Freelon's newest venture, she created, produced, and starred in The Clothesline Muse, an original, multidisciplinary theatrical project which won a National Theater Project creation grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts, a highly sought-after honor that is only awarded to six worthy recipients. 

As celebrated as she is talented, Freelon’s accolades include the Billie Holiday Award from the prestigious Académie du Jazz as well as the Eubie Blake Award from the Cultural Crossroads Center in New York City. She also received the 2022 Jazz Masters Award from the prestigious Women’s Jazz and Blues Association of Palm Springs. 

Find your center with jazz icon Nnenna Freelon.