r what promises to be one of the hottest events of the holiday season, the Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show with opening act Maureen Washington.
Hosted by the Victoria Jazz Society, the performance is sure to rock the house at the University of Victoria’s Farquhar Auditorium Tuesday, Dec. 15.
It’s been eight years since the five-time Grammy Award winners have been in town, and they bring with them a spectacular holiday show, performing songs from 2014’s Talkin’ Christmas! album as well as the band’s previous Grammy-winning Christmas recording Go Tell it on the Mountain, along with a variety of Gospel classics.
Over the past 76 years, the Blind Boys of Alabama have established themselves as an American institution and living legends of gospel music, winning a Grammy “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2009. They were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2003.
Known for crossing musical boundaries, the Blind Boys create remarkable interpretations of traditional gospel favourites while collaborating with diverse contemporary artists such as Justin Vernon, Ben Harper, Peter Gabriel and Prince.
The current band includes founding member Jimmy Carter, Eric McKinnie, Joey William, Ben Moore and Paul Beasley.
Washington is a powerhouse vocalist who consistently charms audiences at the TD Victoria International JazzFest.
Last year, she won Best Jazz and Soul Artist at the Black Canadian Awards, and she was named Jazz and Blues Artist of the Year by Monday Magazine in 2013 and 2014.
Tickets for the Dec. 15 concert are $36 to $52, available from the University of Victoria box office at 250-721-8480 or tickets.uvic.ca.