Stage set for tribute concert

Stage set for tribute concert

Outgoing Principal Daniel Woolf to be honoured in tribute concert by world-renowned jazz singer Claire Martin.

By Dave Rideout

April 18, 2019

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Jazz vocalist Claire Martin (Photo by: BBC Radio Scotland)
Jazz vocalist Claire Martin will perform at a tribute concert in recognition of outgoing Queen's Principal Daniel Woolf. (Photo by: BBC Radio Scotland)

The career of campus鈥 best-known jazz aficionado will be celebrated next week at a tribute concert headlined by one of the genre鈥檚 most acclaimed contemporary voices. Renowned vocalist Claire Martin will perform at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts on Friday, April 26 in recognition of Daniel Woolf, who is leaving his role as principal and vice-chancellor of Queen鈥檚 University after 10 years of service.

鈥淲e鈥檙e very excited to have Claire Martin performing at the Isabel in celebration of Principal Woolf鈥檚 outstanding contributions as head of the university,鈥 says Tricia Baldwin, Director of the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. 鈥淲idely regarded as one of the planet鈥檚 best living jazz vocalists, her music will not only dazzle our audience, it will also serve as a resounding send-off for a Principal whose passion for music 鈥 especially jazz 鈥 and the arts has been felt across campus throughout his tenure.鈥

Open to the public, the evening鈥檚 events will begin with remarks from Interim Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Tom Harris and Associate Vice-Principal (Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation) Kanonhsyonne (Janice Hill), followed by a video tribute to Principal Woolf, that looks back on the many milestones Queen鈥檚 has reached under his leadership. Fittingly, the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts is one of the many iconic buildings conceptualized and constructed during his terms in office.

Multi-instrumentalist Martin Sj枚stedt will then join Claire Martin for an intimate performance of legendary jazz standards and inventive re-workings of contemporary favourites. Nicknamed the 鈥淔irst Lady of British Jazz鈥, Claire Martin has received worldwide acclaim and many awards during her 30-year career, including eight British Jazz Awards. Principal Woolf will interview her on his campus radio show, on Monday, April 22, in advance of Friday鈥檚 celebrations.

鈥淲e鈥檙e looking forward to having members of the Queen鈥檚 and Kingston communities join us for what will surely be a wonderful celebration,鈥 says Dr. Harris. 鈥淐ome enjoy world-class music in this beautiful facility, and let鈥檚 pay tribute to Principal Woolf, whose contributions will leave an indelible mark on the history of our university.鈥

Tickets for the concert are open to the campus and Kingston communities, and the show started Friday, April 26 at 7:30 pm. .