MORGAN JAMES TO PERFORM AS PART OF THE “BROADWAY at BIRDLAND” CONCERT SERIES MONDAY, MAY 9, 2011

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS:

CHRISTOPHER JACKSON, SHARON CLARK and KATIE THOMPSON

New York: Fresh from her sold out engagements at NY hot spots, Dominion and Le Poison Rouge, Morgan James will continue by headlining the Broadway at Birdland series on Monday, May 9 at 7PM. Ms. James will be joined by her very special guests Christopher Jackson, Sharon Clark and Katie Thompson. Doors open at 5PM and shows starts promptly at 7pm. Tickets are $25 (with a $10 minimum) and can be purchased by visiting birdlandjazz.com. The legendary Birdland is located at 315 West 44th Street.

Morgan James is a talented, versatile vocalist with amazing range; her rich sound brings to mind Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin and Eva Cassidy. She has been called “utter perfection… her vocal expertise was almost painfully beautiful. She could sing every style and genre of music flawlessly.”* This electrifyingly eclectic singer, utilizes fresh and rapturous arrangements of soul and blues standards, combining elements of jazz, blues and funk.

Ms. James will share the stage with three amazing performers, Christopher Jackson, Sharon Clark and Katie Thompson. The ladies and gentleman will be backed up by a fantastic rhythm section: the incomparable Chris Fenwick on piano, Mat Fieldes on bass, Damien Bassman on drums, Eric Davis on guitar and Sean Nowell on sax.

“I Cannot Recommend Morgan James Enough – She is Amazing!” ReviewsOffBroadway

“When Morgan James sang, sound showered down over the heads of a transfixed audience. My scalp tingled and my friend and I gaped at each other, becoming giddily aware of being in the presence of massive talent. [Morgan James/Live] is an extraordinarily intense show; pure vocal athleticism carried James through the 90-minute performance. James’ is beautiful, charismatic, and is embarking on a galactic solo career.” – Laura Grasso, WomanAroundTown

“What I did not anticipate was the sheer brilliance of the exquisite soprano, Morgan James. This young woman was utter perfection and her vocal expertise was almost painfully beautiful. She could sing every style and genre of music flawlessly…. from a raspy, soulful rendition of Heart’s “Alone” to the crystal clear purity of an operatic aria, hitting notes that I could only dream of in my wildest fantasies. Equally believable as a gritty punk rock chick, an elegant classical diva, or a Broadway leading lady…she’s without a doubt one of the most talented, versatile female vocalists I’ve had the pleasure of hearing.” – Theatermania*

“The entire show is worth seeing to hear and see Morgan James’ seemingly effortless genre-bending hybrid performance slip from screaming notes on Eleanor Rigby to a purely operatic voice required by a Puccini aria.” – Broad Street Review

“The seductive Morgan James has a wide range and a voice that goes from smoky to sweet for a few show-stoppers.” – Philadelphia Inquirer

MORGAN JAMES is a Juilliard trained performer who is currently in preparation for the upcoming Broadway run of Frank Wildhorn’s Wonderland. She recently concluded a run as part of the original Broadway cast of the hit musical, The Addams Family, starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. She starred in The Rock Tenor with Broadway’s Rob Evan in Philadelphia. Morgan was a featured soloist in Bernstein’s “Mass” with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, performing at Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center, and can be heard on their Grammy nominated recording (Naxos). Her regional and concert credits include Arizona Theatre Company, Kansas City Repertory Theatre., Barrington Stage Company, Paper Mill Playhouse, Eugene O’Neill Theatre Conference, The Wilma Theatre, Two River Theatre Co. In addition to her theatrical career, Morgan can be seen and heard in numerous commercials, voice-overs, and recordings, and is featured on the upcoming “Tears from Heaven” album by Frank Wildhorn; “Bring me Giants” (with James Barbour); “(Sorta) Love Songs”, Paul Loesel and Scott Burkell; “Chasing the Day”, music of Will Van Dyke; and “What I Wanna Be When I Grow Up”, the music of Scott Alan.

CHRISTOPHER JACKSON is an accomplished Actor, Singer/Songwriter. He has starred in In The Heights- Original Co. B’way and as Simba in Disney’s The Lion King. Regional: Comfortable Shoes , Beggar’s Holiday. TV credits: ”White Collar”, “Nurse Jackie”, “Gossip Girl”, “Fringe”, “Oz.” Co-Music Director for the Emmy Winning PBS Show “The Electric Company” (’08-’09.) Currently writing and composing for “Sesame Street.” Is a charter member of the popular hip-hop improv comedy group, Freestyle Love Supreme. He recently released his first solo album-In The Name of LOVE with Yellow Sound Label. ’08 Drama Desk Award for Best Ensemble Performance, ’09 Kidscreen Award for his “Silent E”, T.E.C. Within the past year, he has written and composed songs for Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas and the inspirational internet sensation, “I Love My Hair”.

SHARON CLARK Washington, D.C. standout Sharon Clark has brought festival and concert audiences to their feet across the U.S. and Europe. Her 2008 release, “Do it Again — My Tribute to Shirley Horn,” is on its second printing, and she grabs top honors wherever she goes. Ms. Clark won the Gold Medal and $10,000 top prize at the Savannah Music Festival’s American Traditions Competition. She then took first place in the Billie Holiday Vocal Competition, which offers a $2,500 prize along with a featured appearance with the Baltimore Symphony. Ms. Clark has headlined the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival on the National Mall and the historic Lincoln Theater. The Cape May Jazz Festival has hosted Ms. Clark three times by popular demand. She has toured Turkey, the Republic of Kyrgyzstan and Russia multiple times. Ms. Clark has also been the featured vocalist with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the Richmond Symphony. The Ludacris Foundation chose Ms. Clark as its featured jazz vocalist in its 2009 tribute to Quincy Jones. While audiences cheer, the critics have taken notice. Ms. Clark’s standing-room-only debut at the Cape May Jazz Festival drew raves from JazzTimes: “Clark not only conjures up memories of the Divine Sarah [Vaughan]; she does them justice. I never thought I’d hear a singer with the range, musicality and command of tone and timbre that was Sarah at her best, but now I have.” The Washington Post calls her “powerful yet supple . . . soulful, swinging . . . wonderfully nimble . . . dreamy.” Washingtonian Magazine has labeled her a “Jazz Master.” Ms. Clark has performed at the Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, the Lincoln Theater, the Smithsonian Jazz Café, the One Step Down and Twins Jazz. In July 2001, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra featured Ms. Clark in its tribute to Quincy Jones. In August 2003, Ms. Clark was a featured vocalist for the Keter Betts 75th Birthday Celebration hosted by the Smithsonian Institution at the personal request of Mr. Betts. In 1998, Ms. Clark performed by invitation for President William Jefferson Clinton and other dignitaries at a retreat sponsored by the Democratic National Committee. In addition, Ms. Clark appears regularly at Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. Festival credits include sold-out performances at the East Coast Jazz Festival and the Cape May Jazz Festival, as well as the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. Her stage credits include a rousing performance as Nell in “Ain’t Misbehavin” produced by the Firehouse Theatre in Newburyport, Massachusetts; and “Sistas Can Sang,” a tribute to female jazz legends.

KATIE THOMPSON is a critically acclaimed recording artist and musical theatre performer. THEATRE: Bloodties (NYMF) Giant (Signature Theatre), Ripper (NAMT), R.R.R.E.D. (NYMF & The Grove Theatre in LA),The Lighthouse Project, Piece (NAMT); Events: Broadway in South Africa (Gershwin), Defying Inequality (Gershwin), Katie & Friends (Birdland), Eden Espinosa “ME” (Joe’s Pub), Broadway Loves Country (Joe’s Pub). RECORDINGS: The Ark (Sariah), The Forgotten Carols (Connie Lou), Dreaming Wide Awake (Say Goodbye), Reach the Sky (The Best is Yet to Come), What I’ve Done Right, KT LIVE. AWARDS: LA Weekly Theater Awards: Best Musical Performance nomination, Best Musical Director nomination; Indie Award nomination for Connie Lou’s Christmas; Pearl Award nomination for Safe Harbors. Katie’s music has been featured on So You Think You Can Dance in America and Canada! EDUCATION: American Academy of Dramatic Arts (Los Angeles).