TEF opens 86th season with sold out evening of Jazz

Oct. 3—THOMASVILLE- Thomasville Entertainment Foundation opens its 86th mainstage series Tuesday with a sold-out evening of jazz featuring an acclaimed vocalist and a dynamic pianist.

Winner of three consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album and the Thelonious Monk Competition, among many other accolades, singer and composer Cécile McLorin Salvant was described by the late opera diva Jessye Norman as "a unique voice supported by an intelligence and full-fledged musicality, which light up every note she sings."

Salvant will be accompanied by noted jazz pianist, composer and band leader Sullivan Fortner, a highly sought after performer in his own right, appearing at leading jazz festivals from Newport to Monterey and with such diverse voices as Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Diane Reeves and Étienne Charles.

Ginny LeGette, TEF's vice president for ticketing and box office, said strong season ticket subscriptions and a rush of single ticket sales resulted in the concert selling out by mid-September. However, she encouraged those interested in attending the season opening concert to contact TEF soon.

"Even though we are sold out with a waiting list at this point, there's still a good possibility of seats opening up at the last minute," LeGette explained. "Unavoidable conflicts and releases by our season ticket holders make it possible for us to work through our waiting lists and accommodate those hoping for seats."

LeGette said a handful of partially occluded view seats are also available — those with a balcony support somewhere in the sight line — and patrons initially slated for compromised view seats are among the first to be moved and improved as better seats open up.

"We continue to adjust seating and look at seating options right up until the afternoon of the concert," she explained, adding that ticketing and seating are handled by a committee of dedicated volunteers who serve the nonprofit arts organization throughout the season.

For more information on Tuesday's concert, contact TEF at 229-226-7404.