Cayla Brooke will be the star performer at the Eva Cassidy Tribute concert coming to Osoyoos next Thursday. The tribute is called How Can I Keep From Singing. Brooke will share the stage with soul singer Tom Pickett. This is the final concert in the 2016-17 Osoyoos Concert Series. (Contributed photo)
A tribute to American singer Eva Cassidy -who became much better known and more popular following her tragic death – will wrap up the 2016-17 Osoyoos Concert Series.
The Eva Cassidy Tribute concert, which will be performed by talented and versatile Cayla Brooke, will be performed for one night only on Thursday, March 16 at the Osoyoos Community Theatre.
The Eva Cassidy Tribute is billed How Can I Keep From Singing.
Cassidy was only 33 years of age when she passed away back in 1996 from melanoma.
She was an incredibly talented vocalist and guitarist known for her interpretations of jazz, blues, folk, gospel, country, rock and popular classis.
Despite releasing two critically-acclaimed albums in the early 1990s, Cassidy was virtually unknown outside of her native Washington, D.C.
However, two years after her death, Cassidy’s music was brought to the attention of British audiences when her version of Sting’s Fields of Gold and Judy Garland classic Somewhere Over the Rainbow were played on a BBC Radio 2 program.
Following overwhelming response, a camcorder recording of Somewhere Over the Rainbow taken at Blues Alley in Washingtong by her friends Bryan McCulley was shown on BBC’s Top of the Pops television program.
This resulted in a compilation album called Songbird being released, which quickly climbed to the top of the British charts almost three years after its release.
Cassidy suddenly became a superstar in Britain and Ireland and this led to worldwide recognition and three United Kingdom No. 1 records were released posthumously, selling more than 10 million copies.
Her music quickly garnered Top 10 hits in the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland.
Ted Osborne, who helps organize the Osoyoos Concert Series, said the Eva Cassidy Tribute by Brooke will be a night to remember.
“Eva Cassidy is one of the few artists who became much more popular after her death than before she died,” he said. “She finally achieved the stardom she sought after she passed away.
“Fortunately, her music still lives on and so many people got to hear what an incredible singer and performer she was.”
The Eva Cassidy Tribute will take those in attendance on a journey from her humble beginnings in Washington, showing some of her most magical moments on stage and ultimately her untimely death in 1996.
Brooke will sing over 25 songs, ranging from jazz and blues, to gospel, country and blues, said Osborne.
Brooke has mesmerized audiences with her renditions of such classics as Stormy Monday, Danny Boy, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and many other standards, he said.
Brooke will be joined on stage by charismatic and gifted singer Tom Pickett, who will add some fun and good old-fashioned soul singing.
Brooke and Picket make an outstanding powerhouse singing duo and will be joined by Brooke’s incredibly talented four-piece band, headed by Bill Sample on piano and featuring acclaimed musicians Rene Worst on bass, David Sinclair on guitar and Buff Allen on drums.
When you add Cassidy’s remarkable story, the talents of Brooke, Picket and this outstanding band, it all adds up to what promises to be a wonderful evening of great music, said Osborne.
“When our talent scouts attended the Pacific Contact showcase in Vancouver last year, they saw parts of this show and knew immediately they had to book them for our concert series,” said Osborne. “We really believe our audience will be dazzled by this show.’
Tickets for the show are $23 in advance and $25 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at Mills Office Pro on Main Street in Osoyoos.
Tickets for all four concerts for the 2017-18 Osoyoos Concert Series are now available for $70.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
