Nancy Wilson and Ramsey Lewis are collaborating once more.
This Sunday, Outpost Productions presents Wilson, 2004 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, in concert with jazz pianist and composer Lewis at Popejoy Hall.
Annually, the NEA names living jazz legends jazz masters based on nominations submitted by the public. This performance is funded by the NEA's Jazz Masters On Tour Program, which aims to provide people with knowledge and appreciation of jazz.
Wilson has recorded with various artists including Cannonball Adderley and Gerald Wilson. She and Lewis first collaborated in 1984 for the album The Two of Us and went on to record two additional albums.
Wilson's publicist Lynn Coles talked about the complexity of Wilson's style.
Coles said Wilson is best described as a "song stylist" because her music crosses many boundaries.
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"It's jazz, it's R&B, it's adult contemporary and it's also modern music," she said.
Like Wilson, Lewis' style ranges from jazz to R&B and soul. Many of his compositions move like stories with soft beginnings which transition into complex climaxes.
The juxtaposition of her soulful voice and his detailed melodies gives their music a multidimensional feel. Coles said the audience should expect Wilson and Lewis to perform a wide array of material, including songs from Wilson album, RSVP, as well as selections from the last 50 years of their musical careers.
"There is no doubt she will perform 'Guess Who I Saw Today,'" Coles said. "Many people come to her shows to hear it."
The On Tour program instituted this year provides funds to nonprofit organizations to feature NEA Jazz Masters. Outpost Productions is one of 15 presenting organizations to feature Wilson on this tour.
The concert could be the last time fans see her perform in Albuquerque. Coles said Wilson plans to stop touring.
"She's been performing for 52 years, and it's time for a break," she said.
After this tour Wilson plans to perform only for special occasions.
On Monday morning at 10 a.m., Wilson will participate in a discussion about the jazz masters program and her career.
The discussion is free and open to the public and will be held at the Outpost Performance Space, 210 Yale SE. It will be taped for a future broadcast on KUNM.
COMING ATTRACTION
Nancy Wilson and Ramsey Lewis
Popejoy Hall
Sunday at 7 p.m.
$65, $45, $35 and $25
925-5858, 268-0044
