Legendary Singer Judy Collins Performs in Concert, Nov. 4

The Grammy Award-winning performer of “Send in the Clowns” brings her solo show to the Music Center at Strathmore for one night only

Baltimore, Md. (October 13, 2010)—Grammy Award-winning singer Judy Collins will perform her solo show on Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore. Judy Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide for more than 50 years with her unique blend of interpretive folksongs and contemporary themes. Please note: The BSO will not perform on this program. Please see below for complete concert details.

Collins began playing music at the age of 13, making her public debut on piano with teacher Antonia Brico at her side. Soon after, Collins developed an interest in folk music and left the world of classical music. Elektra Records signed Collins when she was just 22 years old and produced her first album, A Maid of Constant Sorrow. In the early 60’s, she sang traditional folk songs or music written by others, such as Bob Dylan. In 1966, her musical style began to change, and she began drawing from influences such as the Beatles, Jacques Brels and Kurt Weill. In 1967, Collins began to write her own compositions and received a Grammy award for her album Wildflowers.

Judy Collins is still entertaining audiences around the country, performing as many as 100 times a year. According to the New York Times, Collins has an “icy-sweet voice and classical approach to phrasing and intonation. [She] occupies a stylistic middle ground between folk and so-called art song.”

Judy Collins, vocalist
Judy Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide with her unique blend of interpretive folksongs and contemporary themes. Her impressive career has spanned more than 50 years. At 13, Judy Collins made her public debut performing Mozart's Concerto for Two Pianos but it was the music of such artists as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, as well as the traditional songs of the folk revival, that sparked Judy’s love of lyrics. She soon moved away from the classical piano and began her lifelong love with the guitar.

In 1961, Judy Collins released her first album, A Maid of Constant Sorrow, at the age of 22 and began a 35-year association with Jac Holzman and Elektra Records. She interpreted the songs of fellow artists—particularly the social poets of the time such as Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs and Tom Paxton. She was instrumental in bringing other singer-songwriters to a wider audience including poet and musician Leonard Cohen and musicians Joni Mitchell and Randy Newman.

Ms. Collins is also noted for her rendition of Joni Mitchell's “Both Sides Now” on her 1967 album Wildflowers, which is now part of the Grammy Hall of Fame. Winning "Song of the Year” at the 1975 Grammy Awards was her version of “Send in the Clowns,” a ballad written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical A Little Night Music.

She continued her impressive musical career with an extensive catalog from every decade from the 60s up to the present. She recently reissued digitally remastered albums of Collins’ Elektra titles: Fifth Album (1965), In My Life (1966), Whales & Nightingales (1970), True Stories & Other Dreams (1973), Bread & Roses (1976), Running for My Life (1980), Times of Our Lives (1982), Home Again (1984) and Christmas at the Biltmore (1997).

She has authored several books, including the inspirational memoir Sanity & Grace, focusing on the death of her only son and the healing process following the tragedy. She is also co-director, with Jill Godmillow, of an Academy Award-nominated film about Antonia Brico, the first woman to conduct major symphonies around the world and Ms. Collins’ classical piano teacher when she was young. In 1999, Ms. Collins founded her own record label, Wildflower Records, a grass roots artist driven label committed to nurturing fresh talent. The aim of the label is to develop long-term relationships with artists and their representatives in a way that major labels nurtured her career.

Judy’s latest creative projects include Paradise, a collection of 10 songs including duets with Stephen Stills and Joan Baez, and Over the Rainbow, an oversized children’s picture book and three-song CD set featuring lyrics illustrations by renowned painter Eric Puybaret and Ms. Collins’ enchanting recording of the title song. Now 71, is still writing, performing and nurturing fresh talent. She plays 80 to 100 dates a year around the country.

COMPLETE CONCERT DETAILS
Judy Collins
Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 8 p.m.—Music Center at Strathmore 

Judy Collins, vocalist

Please note the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will not appear in this performance.

Tickets for this concert range from $28-$88 and are available through the BSO Ticket Office, 877.BSO.1444, 410.783.8000 or BSOmusic.org.