In the year since master guitarist Stephanie Jackson moved to Mississippi from Oklahoma City, Okla., she has come to be charmed by the smaller cities of the Golden Triangle, her new home. In turn, music enthusiasts have quickly come to admire the Starkville resident’s considerable skill.
The gifted instrumentalist with 11 recordings to her credit will be in concert at Mississippi University for Women’s Carrier Chapel in Columbus Friday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. “Hymns and Carols for Christmas” is a presentation of the Columbus Arts Council, part of its Celebrate Mississippi programming.
Jackson, who will perform on guitar, harp guitar and piano, will be joined in the holiday concert by cellist Courtney Blackwell and vocalist Stephanie Stubbs. The repertoire will feature a blend of sacred and secular music.
Although Jackson has performed in several commercial venues in the Golden Triangle, this will be her first dedicated concert in the area.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” she said. “That evening I’ll be doing a little bit of jazzy Christmas solo, and then adding cello with Courtney, for a bit more classical sound.” Stubbs, an R&B- and gospel-inspired singer from Tupelo, will be featured in part of the program.
After taking up guitar in 1973, Jackson went on to study classical guitar under Bunyan Webb and took part in master classes with iconic composers Andrés Segovia and Leo Brouwer. She has taught college-level guitar and also writes music. Four of her 11 CDs are collections of her original compositions. The Memphis-native is equally adept at performing classical, rock, Latin, jazz, show tunes and gospel.
Jackson recently completed recording of “Noel,” her second Christmas CD, in Nashville and Hendersonville, Tenn. The just-released recording will be available at the concert, along with others in her catalog.
“We hope this will be a very special night, when the audience can take a breath and enjoy this beautiful music of the season in an intimate setting, before the hectic holidays begin,” said Tina Sweeten, executive director of the CAC.
How to go
Concert tickets are $10 in advance Tuesday through Friday at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center at 501 Main St. Admission at the door is $12. For tickets or information, contact the CAC at 662-328-2787.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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