In 2008, American diva Ruthie Foster visited our shores and stunned audiences and critics with her pitch perfect voice and beautiful music.
Five years later, she’s returning to Australia with her fabulous band to bring her soulful tunes to the stage. The Grammy nominated songbird will play at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre on Friday, March 23 as part of her Australian tour.
While Ruthie may be an international superstar now, she comes from a humble background and began singing at a church choir in rural Texas.
After a tour of duty with the Navy band, the young, hopeful musician travelled to New York for a deal with a major record label but it fell through so she returned back home for a few years to care for her family.
Despite this early roadblock to success, Ruthie proved her talent and her career blossomed with regular nominations at the Austin Music Awards, which she won for Best Folk Artist in 2004-2005 and Best Female Vocalist in 2007-2008.
Although Ruthie’s music sticks to her folk roots, she has broadened her sound by mixing in blues and soul influences and received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album for her 2009 record ‘The Truth According to Ruthie Foster’.
Proving the timelessness of her music, she also won two seemingly contradictory Blues Music Association awards when she received both Best Traditional and Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist in consecutive years.
After 16 years in the music industry, Ruthie is renowned for her innovative song-writing and performance skills and has played alongside respected artists including Bonnie Raitt, Warren Haynes and Paul Thorn.
Her most recent album, ‘Let It Burn’, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Blues Album and was received warmly by critics.
The Los Angeles Times praised the album, referring to it as “a captivating blend of soul, blues, gospel, New Orleans funk, folk, rock and RnB”.
‘Let It Burn’ takes the listener on a highly personal journey as Ruthie pours her heart out with her soulful vocals expressing the emotion behind her lyrics.
As well as her own original songs, ‘Let It Burn’ includes a number of cover songs that Ruthie transforms, using her powerful vocals and distinctive style to reinterpret hits by artists such as Adele, Johnny Cash, the Black Keys and Crosby, Stills & Nash.
She will create an intimate, emotional atmosphere on her tour as she uses her powerful stage presence to give audiences a musical experience like no other.
Ruthie Foster will perform at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre on Friday, March 23 at 8pm. Tickets are $55 to $65. Bookings: 4723 7600 or www.jspac.com.au.
