Thursday, April 12, 2001

WILMINGTON, NC – Vocalists Prince Taylor and Dolores Drayton Brown will perform with the UNCW Big Band, under the direction of Frank Bongiorno, in a benefit jazz concert at 8 p.m., Friday, April 20, in Kenan Auditorium. Concert proceeds will fund scholarships for students in the Music Department’s Jazz Studies Program. The performance of these vocalists is possible through the Cape Fear Jazz Society, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of jazz. General admission is $10; UNCW faculty, staff, senior citizens, and children under 12, $5; free to UNCW students with valid ID. Tickets will be available at the Kenan Auditorium Box Office on the night of the concert.

Dolores Drayton Brown, originally from Philadelphia, spent 10 years as a member of a tour company. She also performed in an international choir that raised scholarship funding for musically inclined children and sang with the Count Basie Orchestra.

After moving to Wilmington in 1992, Brown did several productions with Tapestry Theatre Company, including To Whom It May Concern. She also directed Bubbling Brown Sugar for the Willis Richardson Players. Her other performances include Opera House’s Love Songs From Broadway to Opera as well as with cruise ships and at local area restaurants. Brown portrayed Dinah Washington in a tribute to the legendary singer in the Thalian Hall musical production of Segue to Heaven.

For more than 50 years, Prince Taylor has performed for diverse audiences. His deep, resonant baritone voice lends itself perfectly to old standards reminiscent of Billy Eckstine and Joe Williams.

Churches and schools provided the stages where Taylor honed his natural talent in his early years. In college, he sang with the Rhythm Vets. Later, Taylor toured with Doug Clark and the Hot Nuts. He also performed as the opening act for many R&B legends including Little Richard, Smokey Robinson, Chuck Berry and Ruth Brown.

The UNCW Big Band will perform various arrangements, including compositions arranged by members of the jazz faculty. The Jazz Combo, directed by Jerald Shynett, will open the concert.

For more information, contact the UNCW Department of Music at 910/962-3390.