NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

4/19/2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- Verlinda Zeno, the Louisiana Mojo Queen, will perform with the NSU Jazz Orchestra Saturday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is $5. Patrons of the Jazz Orchestra are admitted free.

Zeno is an accomplished professional club, studio and blues singer. During her career, she has performed for appreciative audiences all over the world. Zeno branched out on her own 10 years ago and has recorded four CDs. She attended Northwestern to study voice techniques, then began her professional career.

Her down -to- earth personality has won the hearts and minds of live audiences and those who have heard her CD. While technically an alto her range spans to gamut from contralto to soprano. She effortlessly blends this vast range with real soulful feelings and warmth. Zeno can capture her audience's full and undivided attention with no more than a fling of her long streaming thick hair. Her gold post, hoop earrings or a diamond through her nose glitter fascinate and attract every available eye.

Among those who have seen her live show are B. B. King, Isaac Hayes, Woody Harelson, Courtney Love, Travis Tritt and Lou Diamond Phillips. She has opened shows for Leon Russell, Edgar Winter, Omar & the Howlers, Lil Milton, Bo Diddley, Lynn White, Ann Pebbles, Otis Clay, Bobby Rush, Rufus Thomas, Ollie Nightengale, Albert King and many more.

Zeno will perform selections from her "Live in Europe" CD.

The Jazz Orchestra will perform "It's a Wonderful World" by Adamson, Savitt and Watson and arranged by Sammy Nestico featuring John Chappell on flugelhorn, "Us" by Thad Jones and "Festival Time in the Ville" by Graham Breedlove. The orchestra will also perform "Quiet Remembrances" by Gary Halquist with Joel Adair on flugelhorn,
"Night in Tunisia" by Dizzy Gillespie with Chappell on trumpet, John Fedchock's arrangement of "Chicken Ain't Nothin' But a Bird" with vocalist Sherman Desselle, and "Tired of Pretty Women" by Byron Stripling with Desselle on vocals.

Guest conductors for the Jazz Orchestra's section of the program will be Randy Cantu, Jason Morris, Melanie Richey and Danielle Gourgues.

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