Kat Williams
7:30PM
Emmy nominated Kat Williams fills a void that has been severely neglected for years. She satisfies a yearning that a great percentage of music lovers have been waiting to be fulfilled; a return to emotive Truth and Honesty in music rarely found today. As so many of the greatest performers in history, vocalists like Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Nina Simone, Coco Taylor, Mavis Staples & Etta James. In 1997, Kat moved to Asheville, NC and soon took the town by storm, becoming the most sought after singer in the region. She bared her soul to the crowd, inviting audiences in for a glimpse of a truly phenomenal woman and an authentic, from the heart, performer. Years later, Kat’s musical philosophy is “I have no competition- I can only give you the best of me.” Filled with a passion for song, an astonishing animated style, a spirited sense of humor, and that remarkable laugh, Kat takes the stage and makes magic happen. Kat has performed with solo pianists, big bands, and full symphony orchestras. She sang the score to a ballet production of Porgy and Bess to rave reviews. Out of hundreds of people who auditioned, she was chosen to open for Jay Leno on his comedy tour of the area. She was the 2002 Grand Marshal for the City of Asheville Christmas Parade. She starred Off-Broadway in the original play, “Mother Divine” . She was the featured performer at the wrap party for the movie Patch Adams starring Robin Williams, sang the National Anthem for an event featuring Gen. Colin Powell. In 2008 she opened (2) shows in California for Chaka Kahn and was featured on NBC hit Show “America’s Got Talent” Vegas callbacks in the Top 50. Kat was nominated by the Christian Music Hall of Fame for a Visionary Award as 2009 Urban Performer of the Year for her work with local musical youth on PBS. In 2010 Kat had the honor of singing the National Anthem for President Bill Clinton. In 2012 Kat was nominated for an Emmy for her contribution to the “Hands of Hope” project. Singer, actress, and songwriter, Kat is truly a triple threat. She can perform Jazz, Blues, Motown, R&B, Rock, Pop and Gospel. Though she is constantly in demand, she is loyal to her many fans, maintaining personal friendships with many of them. She is truly a remarkable woman and an electrifying and unforgettable performer.
Richard Shulman
7:30PM
Jazz pianist and composer Richard Shulman combines beauty and creativity in a music which swings and takes the listener to a very joyful place.
Selecting great standards from the American Songbook along with heart-opening originals, Shulman creates a program which maintains interest and expresses deep beauty.
He has performed at the Weil Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Art Park, the United Nations and numerous venues throughout North America and in Europe, and has created 25 albums on his label, RichHeart Music.