UGA Presents hosts the Athens debut of Grammy-winning jazz singer and composer Cécile McLorin Salvant at Hodgson Concert Hall on April 17 at 7:30 p.m. The concert, part of the UGA Presents 30th anniversary season, is supported by Sally Haushalter.
Widely recognized as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary jazz, Salvant brings a deeply expressive and genre-spanning approach to performance. She will be joined by longtime collaborators Sullivan Fortner (piano), Yasushi Nakamura (bass) and Kyle Poole (drums).
Salvant has earned international acclaim for her artistry, with legendary soprano Jessye Norman describing her as “a unique voice supported by an intelligence and full-fledged musicality, which light up every note she sings.” Known for her passion for storytelling, Salvant draws connections across a wide spectrum of musical traditions, including jazz, blues, vaudeville, theater, Baroque and folkloric music. Her performances often feature rarely heard repertoire alongside original compositions, marked by narrative depth, humor and emotional nuance.
The Miami-born artist rose to prominence after winning the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition in 2010. She has since received three consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album for “The Window,” “Dreams and Daggers” and “For One to Love” and has earned additional nominations for her albums “WomanChild,” “Ghost Song” and “Mélusine.” In 2020, she was awarded both a MacArthur Fellowship and the Doris Duke Artist Award.
Her most recent album, “Oh Snap” (2025), released by Nonesuch Records, showcases a collection of intimate, self-produced songs reflecting a wide range of musical influences, from 1990s pop and grunge to classical and folk traditions. The project highlights Salvant’s continued exploration of spontaneity and creative experimentation.
In addition to her musical work, Salvant is also an accomplished visual artist and multidisciplinary creator. Her latest project, “Ogresse,” is an ambitious musical fable that blends genres and storytelling traditions and is currently in development as an animated feature-length film.
Three ways to get tickets
- Purchase tickets online at pac.uga.edu.
- Call the Performing Arts Center box office at 706-542-4400, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Visit the UGA Performing Arts Center box office, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Five-minute parking is available in the drop-off circle at the Performing Arts Center for purchasing or picking up tickets.)
Audience members can create their own series of three or more performances for 10% off. UGA Presents single tickets start at just $30 with promo code PAC30, and UGA student tickets are $15.
Information about accessibility and venue amenities is available on the PAC website. Parking is free.
To learn more about all UGA Performing Arts Center events, visit pac.uga.edu.