Ketchum, ID — From singing in the choir to singing on the Broadway stage and doing backup vocals for Elton John, Crystal Monee Hall has been impressing audiences with her big voice since she was a little girl. This rising star performs in Ketchum on Friday, November 19 as part of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts 2010–2011 Performing Arts Series.
Best known for her stirring, octave-leaping solo in the song “Seasons of Love” in the Broadway and touring productions of the Tony award-winning musical Rent, Crystal has broken onto the scene this past year with performances at major festivals such as the Montreal Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival and the Playboy Jazz Festival.
Writing in Edge, Joseph Gillis described her voice as “an instrument capable of tremendous power and sensitivity.” Grammy-nominated musician Michael McElroy is also a fan: “What can I say about Crystal Monee Hall? She smoothly combines the sounds of folk, gospel, jazz and blues. When I first heard [her song] ‘Stay,’ I was moved beyond words. I could feel her every desire. Crystal is a singer/songwriter to watch out for. Truly gifted and inspiring.”
Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Crystal went from starring roles in musical theater in high school to directing the gospel choir during her college years at the University of Virginia. Her debut album, River Train, released this past summer, showcases her remarkable vocal talent in songs inspired by her youth as “a church girl” in the South. Crystal recently moved from New York City to the San Francisco Bay area, and the CD features an all-star ensemble of some of the Bay Area’s finest musicians, including drummer Scott Amendola and members of the Jazz Mafia.
“I was made in the church halls, I learned who I was on Broadway, I stretched myself writing music for other people’s projects, and I love bringing music to life in the studio, but giving voice to my own feelings and experiences feels so good,” Crystal said in a recent interview when asked what’s been the best part of her musical career. “ I love performing live, being with the folk. It’s really what drives me.”
Tickets for Crystal Monee Hall are $20 for Sun Valley Center for the Arts members and $30 for nonmembers. The concert will begin at 6:30 pm at the Sun Valley Opera House on Friday, November 19.
To purchase individual tickets, visit www.sunvalleycenter.org, call 208.726.9491 ex 10 or stop by The Center in Ketchum. The 2010–2011 Performing Arts Series is generously sponsored in part by Tod and Barbara Hamachek and Gail and Jack Thornton.