A Night to Remember (NTR) has announced this year’s entertainment for the 2015 Gala.
Headlining this year’s event will be Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter Ledisi with special guests, singer Leela James and Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter Raheem DeVaughn. Starting off the evening of wonderful entertainment will be singer Leela James.
For Ms. James, it’s always been about the soul. So much so that she was nicknamed Baby Etta as a little girl growing up in Los Angeles. Along with Chaka Khan and Al Green, she counts Etta James among her vocal heroes and paid homage in 2012 by recording her album Loving You More, in the Spirit of Etta James. Ms. James influences run the gamut of vocalists from soul to funk, and jazz, and her interpretation of music touches on synesthetic.
Next onstage will be singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn. Although Mr. DeVaughn’s become one of modern soul’s most beloved artists, he continues to grind. In addition to releasing 8 mix tapes over the past seven years, he’s co-written songs with funk legend Bootsy Collins, and will be featured in his first acting role playing blues singer Andrew Tibbs, in Who Do You Love, a biopic about Chess Records set to release this spring.
Headlining this year’s gala will be R & B singer/songwriter Ledisi. Over the past 13 years, New Orleans native Ledisi Anibade Young has recorded six albums, gained eight Grammy nominations including a nod for “Best New Artist” in 2008, performed six times at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama, and earned a place in the pantheon of the best soul singers of her generation. With The Truth, Ledisi, known for her rich and evocative ballads says it’s time for something new. What you’re getting is a fiery version of Ledisi.
The show begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at the Chattanooga Convention and Trade Center.
Tickets go on sale February 10 at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, Mary’s Lounge, by phone at (423) 266-8658 and online at www.anighttoremember.org. Corporate sponsorships are available by calling (423) 463-0687.
In 27 years, A Night to Remember has raised over $4 million for Chattanooga’s youth. Some of the past grant recipients include; Ballet Tennessee, Boys Leadership Summit, Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 100 Black Men of Chattanooga, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, Boys Scouts of America, and the Kappa Foundation of Chattanooga.
A Night to Remember recognizes the need to come together as a community to ensure that the various organizations are able to provide the youth of our city with programs that will enhance their futures. Many organizations for Chattanooga’s inner city youth are struggling to find funding to help keep their programs viable.
For more information, contact Paula Wilkes at (423) 463-0687 or antr.paulawilkes@gmail.com www.anighttoremember.org.