Vaneese Thomas To Headline

Flagpole Radio Café Second Season Opener

Rhythm and blues sensation Vaneese Thomas will be the guest artist when Flagpole Radio Café kicks off its second season on Saturday, September 12. The event will return to the theater at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street. Showtime is 7 pm.

Ticket are $15, and reservations can be made online at NewtownArtsCommission.org or by calling 364-0898.

“We’re thrilled to have the talented Vaneese Thomas performing at the premiere of our second season,” said Flagpole Café Music Director Jim Allyn. “She is an extraordinary R&B singer and the band is very excited to back up her vocals. The audience is in for a great evening.”

 Born in Memphis, Tenn., the daughter of R&B legend Rufus Thomas, Vaneese Thomas has cultivated her own style by blending all the influences of her background, including R&B, gospel, blues and jazz. Regarded by many industry insiders as an accomplished performer, songwriter, producer and actress, Ms Thomas is above all a vocalist extraordinaire.

Throughout her rich career, Ms Thomas has worked with an array of internationally known performers, including Sting, Luciano Pavarotti, Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, Chaka Kahn, Luther Vandross, Joe Cocker, k.d. lang, Jonathan Butler, Jewel, Celine Dion, Joan Osborne, Annie Lennox, and Patti Austin.  She has produced recordings, created vocal arrangements or written songs for Austin as well as Freddie Jackson, Bob James, Larry Coryell, and Melba Moore.

The Flagpole Radio Café is a variety show produced by Newtown residents Jim Allyn, Martin Blanco, and Barbara Gaines, in conjunction with Newtown Cultural Arts Commission.  In addition to Mr Allyn, returning for the second season are musicians Rick Brodsky, Dick Neal, Grammy Award-winning Stacy Philips, host and guitarist Chris Teskey, and performers Jennifer Rogers, David Wheeler, Ms Gaines and Mr Blanco.

Additional Flagpole Radio Café performances for the 2009-10 season will be October 24, December 5, and three dates in the late winter and spring.