(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Violinist Regina Carter will perform Simply Ella, a musical tribute to Ella Fitzgerald at Kean University’s Enlow Recital Hall on Saturday, February 15 at 7:30pm. “I’m so excited to celebrate Ella Fitzgerald, an artist who has meant so much to all the notes in my musical life,” said Carter.

Carter has been hailed for her mastery on the violin playing jazz, R&B, Latin, classical, blues, country, pop and African music. In each, she explores the power of music though the voice of the violin and her drive to expand its possibilities. She released her self-titled solo debut in 1995. Her most recent album, Ella: Accentuate the Positive, celebrates the music and spirit of her inspiration, the legendary Ella Fitzgerald.

“Growing up in Detroit, there was always music playing in our home,” said Carter, who now makes her home in Maywood. “While there was a variety of music I enjoyed, there were a few recordings and artists I found consistently captivating. Ella Fitzgerald was one of these exceptions. I’m entranced by her voice, her melodic improvisations and the passion and artfulness with which Ella sings a song. She helps me understand a song by providing a window to its essence. In a word, Ella is sublime.”

A two-time Grammy Award nominee, Carter can be heard on albums by Arturo O’ Farrill, Stefon Harris, Eddie Palmieri and Kenny Barron and has appeared as a guest soloist with Mary J. Blige, Joe Jackson, Billy Joel, Dolly Parton and Cassandra Wilson.

Her passion for excellence landed her the MacArthur fellowship “genius grant’ and the Doris Duke Artist Award. Carter began playing violin at age four and first gained attention with Straight Ahead, an all-female jazz quintet that recently celebrated its 25-year reunion at the Detroit Jazz Festival. She also recorded and toured for six years with the String Trio of New York and has performed at numerous jazz festivals and orchestras around the world, including  2017’s International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert in Havana, Cuba.

Enlow Recital Hall is located at 215 North Ave., Hillside, on Kean University’s East Campus. Tickets are $45-$65 and can be purchased at the Kean Stage Box Office in Wilkins Theatre on Kean University’s main campus, by phone at 908-737-7469 or online at www.keanstage.com.

Founded in 1855, Kean University is one of the largest metropolitan institutions of higher education in the region, with a richly diverse student, faculty and staff population. Kean continues to play a key role in the training of teachers and is a hub of educational, technological and cultural enrichment serving more than 16,000 students. The University’s six undergraduate colleges offer more than 50 undergraduate degrees over a full range of academic subjects. The Nathan Weiss Graduate College offers six doctoral degree programs and more than 80 options for graduate study leading to master’s degrees, professional diplomas or certifications. With campuses in Union, Toms River, Jefferson and Manahawkin, New Jersey, and Wenzhou, China, Kean University furthers its mission by providing an affordable and accessible world-class education. 

Kean Stage at Kean University educates, entertains and challenges audiences by presenting high-quality programs that reflect the diversity of the region and of the arts. These cultural offerings complement the intellectual life of the classroom for our students, increase opportunities for community engagement, and provide affordable access to the arts for New Jersey residents. Audiences of all ages are invited to enjoy a wide range of professional theatre, Broadway tours, dance performances, concerts, international films and family-friendly shows. In addition, Kean Stage encourages University students to attend events, and provides several opportunities to explore the performing arts through master classes, workshops, lectures, and employment opportunities as ushers, backstage technicians and box office staff.