Rita Coolidge's performance next Friday at the Library Theatre at 8 p.m. will mirror the legendary singer's career with an eclectic collection of jazz, blues, native American music and her well known hits.
"I really do mix it up, doing the former hits people want to hear that they've listened to for decades," Coolidge said.
Playing the Library Theater is a return to the region and a smaller venue, something Coolidge appreciates.
Article Photos
Rita Coolidge
"I do love playing smaller venues. I feel like it's more intimate," she said. "I like being able to look out at the audience and actually see peoples faces."
Coolidge has put out 38 solo albums and six group albums since 1971 including hits such as "Fever," "We're All Alone," "One Fine Day," "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher & Higher," "The Way You Do The Things You Do," "All Time High," and "Superstar".
Her most recent record "And So Is Love" is a collection of jazz standards featuring "Cry Me A River," "We're All Alone" and "Estate" but it's not her first experience in the genre.
Coolidge said as a child she'd sit and listen to Peggy Lee and described the blues singer as "the queen bee for me".
In the 1970's Coolidge collaborated with Barbara Carroll, whom she described as "one of the greatest jazz pianists on the planet" on her first jazz record.
At 67 Coolidge said she admires Carroll's work ethic and enjoys listening to Keb Mo, Bonnie Raitt and The Neville Brothers.
"I have so much reverence for people who don't let the age thing bring their lives to a screeching halt," she said. "I never know what I'm going to do next."
From Warren, Coolidge will head to Mamanoreck, N.Y. on March 16 and then New Jersey and Ohio before heading for the west coast.
"I'm just looking forward to coming on back here and being at the Library Theater," she said.
Tickets are on sale now at the Library Theater and are available by calling 723-7231 or online at www.strutherslibrarytheatre.com.