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Soulful superstar headlines Green Jazz series concert


January 14, 2009

The Valley’s gold standard for jazz is going “green” for one night to raise awareness on sustainable living.

International recording artist and Scottsdale resident Khani Cole will headline ASU’s Green Jazz Series concert, which takes place at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at the Herberger Theater, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix. Admission is $20 for general admission and $40 for VIP seating.

The series, which runs through April 2009, is sponsored by Arizona State University Online, the Herberger Theater Center, Brotha Love Productions and Southwest Green Magazine.

“We’re hopeful the concert series will help shift the awareness and culture of green living while helping low-income households,” says Mernoy E. Harrison, Jr. ASU Online and Extended Campus vice president and executive vice provost. “The premise is that jazz is the bridge between music and sustainability.”

Proceeds from the concert series will support the Green Survival Initiative (GSI), a Phoenix-based sustainability project. Through the use of cost-effective green technologies such as compact fluorescent lights, low-flow shower heads and water heater blankets, GSI seeks to mitigate increasing energy costs for approximately 1,000 low- and fixed-income households in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

The initiative will help low-income families make the conversion to a sustainable lifestyle.

“The GSI recognizes that there is a cost to convert to a green lifestyle and those who need it the most might not be able to make that conversion,” says George Brooks, publisher of Southwest Green Magazine, an event sponsor. “We believe that once these conversions are made, each household could save anywhere from $300 to $500 annually.”

A green business networking event that includes informational booths and promotional giveaways starts at 5:30 p.m. and will precede the 6:45 p.m. concert. For more information or to reserve a booth, call (602) 363-1677 or e-mail Publisher@sw-green.com.

Cole, who is one of the Valley’s best known names in smooth jazz, ascended into the national and international consciousness after relocating to Arizona from her native Milwaukee, Wisc. in 1992. The move sparked the inception of her very first release, Piece of My Soul, (1996) on Fahrenheit Records. The sultry-voiced singer was praised by critics for the smoky tonality of her voice and emotional quality of her songs.

“Audiences love smooth jazz because they’re longing for something that’s real, heartfelt and not manufactured,” says Cole. “Every song I sing is from the heart because there’s no other way I can present them.”

Cole followed Piece of My Soul with Places (1998) and Lifetime (2001), and extensively toured stateside and abroad. After finishing an unprecedented 10-year run at the Pointe Tapatio Cliffs, Cole teamed up with Chef Michael Lepore in 2007 and created Voce Ristorante and Music Lounge, 9719 N. Hayden Road.

Cole said she’s excited to lend her soulful voice to the concert series.

“For years people thought that the green movement was strange and offbeat, and it’s a nice affirmation to see it become more mainstream and acceptable,” says Cole. “This world is a beautiful gift to all mankind and it’s our responsibility to take care of it.”

For more information on Khani Cole, go to http://www.myspace.com/khanicole.

 

Parking and directions: http://www.HerbergerTheater.org/directions_and_parking.

Information: http://www/sw-green.com