Past Performing Arts | Music

Counterfeit Madison

Say a Little Prayer: An Aretha Franklin Celebration

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Artist Residency Award recipient Sharon Udoh singing

Be there as a local treasure pays tribute to Aretha Franklin as part of an ongoing Wexner Center residency.

When Aretha superfan DJ Moxy approached their close friend Sharon Udoh about collaborating on a performance tribute to the late Queen of Soul, the pianist, arranger, gospel-raised singer, and force behind beloved band Counterfeit Madison welcomed the challenge. “And it has brought me nothing but pure joy,” says Udoh. Featuring Udoh and an ensemble of 20 musicians and performers, this evening at Columbus’s historic Lincoln Theatre promises to be a high point of the 2020 cultural calendar.

The recipient of a 2019–20 Wexner Center Artist Residency Award, Udoh combines vocals that seemingly erupt from the center of the earth with a stage presence that somehow feels both dangerous and kind. As part of her residency, Udoh has also participated in the center’s Pages arts and literacy program for teens and shared a bill with choreographer and dancer nora chipaumire for two 2019 performances at the Wex.

"I have always just dabbled with Aretha—I love the hits that everybody knows. But her insane range has kept me away from delving deep into her music…However, once I started to focus on our similarities instead of our differences, I found a place for myself in her music. I, like Aretha, am a Black woman who sings and plays like someone who grew up in church. In addition, Aretha was unabashedly herself."
SHARON UDOH

Program

Artist Residency Award recipient Sharon Udoh singing

Counterfeit Madison, photo: Kate Sweeney

Sharon Udoh

Counterfeit Madison, photo: Kate Sweeney

Sharon Udoh

Counterfeit Madison, photo: Kate Sweeney

Artist Residency Award recipient Sharon Udoh singing

Counterfeit Madison, photo: Kate Sweeney.

Artist Residency Award recipient Sharon Udoh looks out at the camera

Counterfeit Madison, photo: Kate Sweeney.

THIS PRESENTATION MADE POSSIBLE BY
Greater Columbus Arts Council
Ohio Arts Council
American Electric Power Foundation
The Columbus Foundation
Nationwide Foundation

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
Huntington Bank
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Kaufman Development
Cardinal Health Foundation
Johnstone Fund for New Music

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