Jake Simpson with Special Guest Audra Mae
| October 4, 2008 | ||
| 9:00 pm |
Upright Cabaret presents singer/songwriter JAKE SIMPSON (Oprah Winfrey’s 20 Greatest Moments, ’03&’04 Star Search Grand Champion) in a special evening to celebrate the release of his second solo album “MY SONG”.
Best remembered for his stirring performance of “Isn’t She Lovely” with his idol Stevie Wonder on OPRAH WINFREY. Jake has been heavily influenced by the vocals of Wonder, Steve Perry (Journey) and the classic style of Sam Cooke.
Simpson said, “This is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to perform my own music in front of an LA audience. Finally, instead of singing “Don’t Stop Believing”, I’m singing “My Song”!
This also marks the inaugural concert event for Upright’s new “Artist in Residence Series”. This series is designed for emerging artists to have a monthly forum to develop their work and expose them to a larger audience base. Each 90 minute concert will feature the Jake Simpson Trio and a variety of special guests.
Joining Simpson on the Upright stage will be audience favorite AUDRA MAE (singer/songwriter) a dynamo soulful singer who inherited the “pipes” of the world’s most famous chanteuse, Judy Garland. Audra Mae is the real thing, the most exciting new voice the cabaret world has seen since the debut of K.D. Lang and Norah Jones.
Tickets are just $10. Dinner Required with Main Room and Patio Ticket Purchase. Your ticket purchase also confirms your dinner reservation (cost of dinner is not included in this show ticket). No minimums or dinner required in the Bar/Lounge SRO tickets.
Dinner/ “10 Cane Rum” Drink Specials begin at 7:00PM
SHOW TIME 9:00PM
*****CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS*****
MORE ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
JAKE SIMPSON twice (2003 and 2004) won the top honors in the Adult Singer category on CBS-TV’s “Star Search” with his powerful high tenor voice and three-octave range. Growing up in Crocker, Missouri, making music has been one of the most important driving forces in Jake’s life. His sound is influenced by Stevie Wonder, Steve Perry, Donny Hathaway, and the classic style of Sam Cooke. One of the highlights of Jake’s life was when he was invited to perform on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” The show, which first aired on June 8, 2004, was one of Oprah’s favorites, as she surprised Jake by bringing out his idol, the legendary Stevie Wonder, to duet with Jake on Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely.” The surprise thrilled Oprah so much that she included it on her 20th anniversary DVD box-set. This past year, Jake produced and recorded two new CD’s, the holiday themed “Star of Wonder.” To bring his holiday music to the masses, Jake just completed a holiday tour with Jim Brickman. The concert tour received rave reviews, and Jake specifically being singled out for his “blue-eyed soul” and his “Amen”-inducing rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” “Star of Wonder” offers a Pop/R&B approach to traditional Christmas hymns and contemporary songs. His second release is his “My Song” which Jake wrote all the music and lyrics to.
AUDRA MAE – a dynamo soulful singer who inherited the “pipes” of the world’s most famous chanteuse. Audra is the great grand-niece of Judy Garland and the great-granddaughter of Judy’s bandleader Bobby Sherwood. You might say that she’s direct from Oklahoma (where she was raised) by way of Broadway! Listening to Audra Mae might just convince you that the souls of Judy Garland, Patsy Cline and Janis Joplin have alighted in one exciting performer – Audra Mae is the real thing, the most exciting new voice the cabaret world has seen since the debut of K.D. Lang and Norah Jones. While she wields a unique and amazing voice, Audra Mae is also one of LA’s hippest songwriters. On piano, guitar or simply at the mic, her brilliantly crafted lyrics and memorable melodies are slightly cynical, all original. Telling her rich story, Audra Mae’s songs defy classification with influences by Hank Williams, Randy Newman, Joni Mitchell, and even Cyndi Lauper. Come see Audra Mae while she stands on the cusp of stardom — soon after arriving in Los Angeles from her native Oklahoma, the singer/songwriter signed a development deal with Warner Chappell.
