Hope College will feature jazz/rhythm and blues artist Ester Rada on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland.
Rada’s cross-cultural sound is a deep reflection of her Israeli-born Ethiopian heritage. Growing up in a highly religious Jewish family in more-than-modest conditions in Israel, Rada has emerged with what critics describe as a genre mixing sound combining Ethio-Jazz, funk, soul and R&B.
The BBC calls describers her “an arresting young singer-songwriter with a rich musical heritage. Her Ethiopian roots are clearly audible in her music. But so is the influence of Israel where she grew up and now lives.”
The vocalist will be performing at Hope with her six-piece band in between performances at the Detroit Jazz Festival and Chicago World Music Festival.
“She is amazing” said Alicia Keys, who is vocal in her support of Rada and had her open when Keys performed in Israel.
“United Reggae” magazine has said, “Her distinctive neo-soul flavor, supported by an ultra-talented Middle-Eastern-infused ensemble, takes super funky, ethno-jazz to new artistic heights.”
Her video, "Life Happens," won video of the year 2013 in Israel and was nominated for an MTV European Music Award for Best Israeli Act.
Following Rada’s performance, guests are invited to join jazz artist-in-residence Tony Monaco for concert at Our Brewing Company, located at 76 E. Eighth St., between College and Columbia avenues.
Tickets for Rada’s concert are $10 for regular admission, $7 for senior citizens and Hope faculty and staff, and $5 for children. Hope College students may receive free tickets by showing their college ID.
Tickets are available at the ticket office in the Events and Conferences Office located downtown in the Anderson-Werkman Financial Center (100 E. Eighth St.). The office is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be called at (616) 395-7890. Tickets are also available online at hope.edu/tickets.
The Knickerbocker Theatre is located at 86 E. Eighth St.