Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Wilmington, N.C. - The University of North Carolina Wilmington Upperman African-American Cultural Center (UAACC) announces Grenoldo Frazier as its spring 2006 Upperman artist. A jazz vocalist, composer, stage actor, French horn and piano player, Frazier has performed internationally for over 30 years.

Frazier says he has a "great link" to UNCW. A Wilmington native, Frazier was delivered by Leroy Upperman, the late Wilmington physician for whom the UAACC is named. He has taught a series of cultural workshops at UNCW in the past and was the featured performer at "A Celebration of African-American Music," a UNCW Black History Month event held in Feb. 2005.

Frazier performed on Broadway with Pearl Bailey and Billy Daniels in their final performances of Hello Dolly. He will be featured in The Best of the Genius of Ray, a musical cabaret tribute to Ray Charles, at the Juneteenth Legacy Theatre in Louisville, KY in Feb. 2006. He performs regularly at Water Street Restaurant & Cafe, located in downtown Wilmington and Bistro-by-the-Sea Restaurant in Morehead City.

Frazier will be featured at "Why New Orleans is Important!," a performance and discussion highlighting the connection of music, culture and African-American influences in New Orleans. This event will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30 in the Seahawk Grille, located in the Warwick Center on the campus of UNCW. The performance is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. They may be obtained through the University Union Information Center beginning at 9 a.m. on Jan. 13 and will be available through the date of the performance. Call 910.962.3841 for additional information.

This is the inaugural year for Upperman Artists, who are selected to combine visual and performing arts with culture. Shea-Ra Nichi, a dance director and choreographer, was the summer/fall 2005 artist in this series.

The UAACC, located in University Union 208, provides all UNCW students, faculty and staff and its surrounding community the opportunity to explore the rich heritage, arts, literature and history related to African-American culture.

Please contact Deborah Brunson, director of the UAACC, at 910.962.3832 for more information or to inquire about scheduling Frazier to conduct workshops for a class or community organization.

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