Nnenna Freelon

Seven-time GRAMMY® Award nominee Nnenna Freelon has earned a well-deserved reputation as a compelling and captivating live performer. In 2025, Nnenna will see major events – her PBS-NC TV Special Shaped By Sound episode, her newest album release “Beneath The Skin” (her first collection of many originals) in March, followed by her debut book (also entitled Beneath The Skin of Sorrow) release in Fall! Accompanied by a new February 2025 PBS-NC TV release, the year holds great promise for this astonishing artist!

In the company of other great artists, Nnenna triumphed in composer Laura Karpman’s undertaking of Langston Hughes’ “Ask Your Mama” at The Apollo Theater and at an astounding Hollywood Bowl concert with opera superstar Jessye Norman and the indie phenom band The Roots. She also wowed audiences at SRO shows at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival with the Duke Ellington inspired “Dreaming The Duke,” with classical star Harolyn Blackwell and pop-jazz-crossover pianist Mike Garson. Her TV appearances on In Performance at the White House, on ABC celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, led to the versatile songstress/composer having a featured song on the hit TV show Mad Men. That was followed by a new collaboration on tour with legendary guitarist Earl Klugh and with legendary pianist Ramsey Lewis.

Nnenna received from the National Association of Women In The Arts the “Youth Empowerment Through the Arts” Award and “Artist of the Year” Award. She was named a “Woman of Substance” by Bennett College for Women, delivered the Keynote Address for the Arts Midwest Conference, and much more. Freelon is a winner of both the Billie Holiday Award from the prestigious Académie du Jazz and the Eubie Blake Award from the Cultural Crossroads Center in New York City.

This special event will also fall on Jazz Bakery Founder and Artistic Director Ruth Price's birthday! Come wish her a happy and healthy 95th.

Tickets can be reserved up to 2:00 p.m. day of the show (remaining tickets available at door, night of concert).

Host or Publisher The Jazz Bakery Performance Space