YORK singer Jessa Liversidge presents Songbirds, a celebration of female icons through the decades, at Helmsley Arts Centre on January 18.
“The show is a wonderful journey of song, celebrating some of the most iconic female singers and songwriters of the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties,” says Jessa.
“From musical theatre legends Julie Andrews and Barbra Streisand and pop sensations Carole King, Karen Carpenter, Kate Bush and more, to the hilariously clever comedy of Victoria Wood, this programme has something for everyone.”
Every song will be sung by Jessa in her trademark style: heartfelt, pure vocals, delivered with emotional conviction, complemented by entertaining storytelling.
Born in Dundee and now based in North Yorkshire, Jessa has devised and performed three one-woman shows: her tribute to wartime women Till The Boys Come Home, the musical theatre compilation Some Enchanted Sondheim and now her melange of vintage pop, musical theatre and comedy, Songbirds, which she launched at Tollerton Village Hall last November.
She has sung at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre and National Centre for Early Music in York, Helmsley Arts Centre and Castle Howard, as well as performing as a soloist at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at York Barbican for the past three years.
She sings as a guest soloist with the award-winning Shepherd Group Brass Band and featured on their In Concert II CD. “I enjoy spreading the joy of singing with all ages, from singing lessons and schools to my dementia-friendly group, Singing For All,” she says.
At her 7.30pm concert, Jessa will be accompanied by pianist Malcolm Maddock, who studied music at St John’s College, Cambridge, specialising in composition and performance when working under tutors David Wilcock and John Rutter.
On moving to London, he worked at the London Opera Centre and Covent Garden. He has lived in York for the past 30 years, working for soloists, bands, choirs and musical theatre companies.
Looking ahead, Jessa hopes to perform her Songbirds show in York in the spring. Watch this space for more details.
Tickets for the Helmsley concert are on sale at helmsleyarts.co.uk or on 01439 771700.