At Last – Georgette Fry Offers a Soulful Etta James Retrospective

Ottawa ON – Jazz, blues, soul--the legendary Etta James sang it all--and who better to take us through her songbook than Canada's own 2013 CMA Singer of the Year, Georgette Fry? Backed by her excellent 11 piece band, with 50 members of the local chapters of her Shout Sister! choir providing gospel harmonies, Fry's retrospective will be filling the Harold Shenkman Hall on July 3^rd.

With thanks to Josh Lyon https://vimeo.com/80557090

Like Etta James, Fry has a big voice that seamlessly glides across musical genres. Her love of “good music” does not sit solely with one particular iteration, making this retrospective a powerful work in its own right. Georgette never needs to imitate; she brings her own solid, sensitive self to these treasured songs and honours Etta's legacy.

Fry's excellent band are all-stars from her hometown, Kingston. Jon 'Bunny' Stewart (sax) arranged the music for the show. He plays on stage with James Wannamaker (sax), Janet MacRae (trumpet), Dave Barton (guitar), Zak Colbert (bass), Ken Hall (organ), Alain McCann (piano), Duncan Holt (drums) and vocalists Kevin Head, Anna Robertson and Christina Foster. Rounding out this already spectacular lineup is Shout Sister!, offering gospel backup during the finale.

With thanks to Josh Lyon https://vimeo.com/80557090

Shout Sister!, is Fry's own choral love-child. “I started Shout Sister at the suggestion of one of my vocal students. The idea of gathering women together to sing without judgement was appealing and daunting at first, but I knew that if I had at least 50 singers, willing to blend, that we could make a beautiful sound.” From that humble beginning, just a few years ago, to 19 chapters across Ontario, Fry invites 50 Ottawa-area women to back her up on stage at the Shenkman.

At Last! Georgette Sings Etta has toured Eastern Ontario to rave reviews and sold-out houses, but has never been performed in Ottawa. This is your chance, at last, to see this phenominal show at the Harold Shenkman Hall, the Shenkman Arts Centre on July 3. Tickets, $48.75, available in person at the Box Office, by phone 613-580-2700, or online at shenkmanarts.ca

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