Terrance Simien brings Mardi Gras Party to Quick Center for the Arts | Press Releases

Jazz lovers can start the new year off right on Saturday, Jan. 29, at 8 p.m. when two-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist Diane Schuur returns to Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center of the Arts. Schuur will sing her inspired renditions of classic and contemporary favorites which promise to leave the audience with a song in their hearts.

Diane Schuur's remarkable professional career began at age nine when she performed at the local Holiday Inn. While still a student at the Washington State School for the Blind, the 16-year-old Schuur was wowing audiences with original material and her playful and distinctive voice. She made her jazz debut in 1975 performing with legendary "Tonight Show" drummer Ed Shaughnessy. Things really took off when she was discovered by Stan Getz during the 1979 Monterey Jazz Festival. It was her singing of "Amazing Grace," that caught Getz's ear and set Schuur's world into fast-forward motion.

In 1982, Schuur began the extensive series of solo recordings that would turn her into one of jazz's best-loved singers. In the 1980s alone, she released seven albums, including: "Pilot of my Destiny," "Schuur Thing," her Grammy-winning "Timeless" and "Diane Schuur and the Count Basie Orchestra." In 1994, Schuur earned yet another career milestone when her celebrated "Heart to Heart" album, featuring BB King, hit Number One on the "Billboard" jazz chart.

Her most recent release, "Music is My Life," her Atlantic Records debut, brings her trademark style to each stirring moment with its cool, intimate tone. The gorgeous and lovingly realized collection of timeless standards and personal favorites, came dramatically to life in the rich, live-performance arena especially designed by the producers to suit Schuur's famous three-octave voice.

Tickets for the Diane Schuur concert are $30. Discounts are available for seniors, students with ID and subscribers. For more information call the box office at (203) 254-4010 or toll-free at 1-877-ARTS-396.