Singer. Movie star. International icon. This is Diana Ross. A fixture in American music for almost 50 years, Ms. Ross has roots firmly planted in the Motown sound, but has added song after song to the list of award-winning and chart-topping brilliance. Each of her hits is instantly recognized as another magical moment in the growth of modern dance music. A true American legend, the ever-lovely Diana Ross brings her class, style and charm to Kresge for a musical master class.
Singer and actress Diana Ross was part of the 1960s pop/soul trio the Supremes before embarking on a successful solo career, also starring in such films as Lady Sings the Blues and The Wiz.
Diana Ross was born on March 26, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan, and began singing with friends as a teenager, eventually forming the groundbreaking 1960s trio the Supremes, who went on to have hits like “Come See About Me” and “You Can’t Hurry Love.” Ross left for a solo career in 1969, later reaching No. 1 with hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Love Hangover.” She starred in the films Mahogany and Lady Sings the Blues, earning an Oscar nomination for the latter. Despite personal and professional ups and downs, Ross has withstood the test of time as a performer with a career that spans more than four decades.
Over the course of more than a dozen years and six studio albums, singer-songwriter Amos Lee has continued to evolve, develop and challenge himself as a musician. With a distinctive voice that the New York Times has called “honeyed—light amber, mildly sweet, with a touch of grain,” Lee creates a creole blend of musical flavors that evoke blues, folk and soul while still bringing individual significance to every chord.
Born in Philadelphia, singer-songwriter-musician Amos Lee worked as a schoolteacher and bartender before pursuing a career in music. But when his manager submitted a demo recording to Blue Note Records, the result was a recording contract and an association with singer Norah Jones.
Since that time Lee has recorded five albums on Blue Note Records and has toured as an opening act for Norah Jones, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, Merle Haggard, Van Morrison, John Prine, Dave Matthews Band, Adele, the Zac Brown Band, Jack Johnson, The Avett Brothers, and David Gray. His music has appeared on the soundtracks of numerous TV shows and movies, and he has performed on several late night TV shows. In 2011, his album Mission Bell debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
One of the fastest rising stars of the conducting world, Music Director and Conductor of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music Cristian Măcelaru leads the World Youth Symphony Orchestra through a repertoire that includes “Carnival Overture” by Dvorak and Brahms’ Symphony No. 2.
Newly appointed Music Director and Conductor of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, Cristian Măcelaru has established himself as one of the fast-rising stars of the conducting world. With every concert he displays an exciting and highly regarded presence, thoughtful interpretations and energetic conviction on the podium. Măcelaru came to public attention in February 2012 when he conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a replacement for Pierre Boulez in performances met with critical acclaim. Conductor-in-Residence of the Philadelphia Orchestra, he made his Philadelphia Orchestra subscription debut in April 2013 and continues to conduct them annually on subscription programs and other special concerts. In September 2016, he was announced Music Director of Cabrillo Festival, America’s longest running festival dedicated to new music for orchestra, to succeed Marin Alsop with immediate effect. Măcelaru leads his inaugural season as Cabrillo Festival Music Director in August 2017.
Country star Chris Janson is a singer who Rolling Stone magazine has called one of Nashville’s most “prolific” songwriters, having written singles for Tim McGraw, Hank Williams, Jr., Randy Houser and others. His sultry voice is the epitome of country twang, and it earned him his second consecutive nomination for ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year this year. In 2016 he was nominated for New Male Vocalist of the Year and Single Record of the Year for his No. 1 Platinum-certified smash hit “Buy Me A Boat.”
With four albums under their belts, the up-and-coming Davisson Brothers Band are a country group with a solid following and a gritty harmony that cannot be denied. Their single, “Jesse James,” is a hard-hitting ballad about a notorious bad man with a hint of gospel and blues in the back beat.
According to the Grand Ole Opry, “country artist Chris Janson was born to entertain crowds.” And according to the rising star’s growing list of accolades and admirers, they aren’t far off the mark. In 2016, his breakthrough #1 Platinum single “Buy Me A Boat” was the 7th bestselling country song of the year, although his professional music career began more than 10 years ago.
The “Holdin’ Her” singer has written multiple top-charting hits including “Truck Yeah” (Tim McGraw), “That’s How I’ll Always Be” (Tim McGraw), “I Love This Life” (LoCash), and over 25 additional hit songs recorded by a long list of established artists.
