Kansas City's "Ambassador of Jazz" will be playing once again in Pittsburg, Kan.

Queen Bey, a veteran jazz and blues singer who began playing in clubs in Kansas City when she was five, is returning to the Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center on Saturday.

"She's back by popular demand," said Judy Collins, manager of the convention center. "She's the Kansas City Ambassador of Jazz and that was designated by the mayor of Kansas City in 1995."

She was also recognized for her work in the preservation of jazz and blues when she received the Governor's Arts Award. She was the first jazz artist ever to get this award.

Her career began when she was twelve at the legendary Orchid Room in Kansas City, one of the birthplaces of jazz. Under the tutelage of jazz greats such as the legendary Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, she began to hone her skills at an early age.

"Her repertoire ranges from blues and ballads, to classical jazz and improvisation," said Collins.

Bey has been compared to such contemporaries as Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn, and Bessie Smith. She combines the stylings of blues, jazz, and scatting with her own blend of musical arrangement.

Bey has played shows around the world, including Africa, South America, and Europe.

She has performed for the governors and ambassadors of foreign countries, and is proud of the fact that one of her fans is Prince Charles of Wales, who owns a copy of her CD.

She also finds the time to host music workshops for children while on tour. Being a former Camp Fire girl as a youth, she also supports the United Way and Camp Fire Girls.

"I wouldn't trade my Camp Fire experience for anything in the world," said Bey. "Kids come away with a sense of confidence, togetherness, and respect."

Bey is also an accomplished actress. She appeared in "Matter of Justice," an NBC mini-series starring Martin Sheen. Later, she would again work with Sheen in Ninth Street, which also featured actor and soul musician, Isaac Hayes.

Aside from feature film and television, Bey has also worked in theater. She performed on Broadway in Ain't Misbehavin and was honored for her performance in playwright August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottoms at the annual William Inge Festival.

Collins billed her as "an extraordinarily warm and charming presence on stage" and that "an evening with Queen Bey seems more like an intimate conversation between friends than a concert of old standards."

The performance in Pittsburg will begin at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased at the auditorium's ticket office. Main floor tickets are $10 and balcony seats are $7.50. Students with ID receive a cheaper rate.

More information about the event can be found by calling (316) 231-7827. Bey also has a website with extensive information at www.queenbey.com.

Published by The Chart on 2-11-00.

Article's Posting at the Chart's Website