A veritable titan of both gospel and R&B, Mavis Staples has been tiptoeing the boundary between the spiritual and the secular for more than 60 years. And she isn’t slowing down.

The famously husky voiced Staples came to prominence in the late 60’s, singing lead for her family’s band, The Staple Singers. Even before topping the pop charts with massive hits like ‘I’ll Take You There’ and ‘Respect Yourself,’ the Staples had been superstars on the gospel circuit, with leader/guitarist (and dad) Pops Staples touring his children around the country to great acclaim. As the Staples gained in popularity into the 60’s, Mavis’ powerfully gritty alto became the voice of the Civil Rights movement, the family taking a prominent role in historic rallies and marches (due in part to Pops’ close relationship with Martin Luther King, Jr.).

Amidst a string of hit albums with the Staple Singers on Stax Records throughout the 70’s, Mavis put out her own solo efforts, which were critically acclaimed but never hit the commercial heights of her family band. A career resurgence came in recent years, however, with Mavis teaming up with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy for the Grammy winning You Are Not Alone in 2010. Mavis and Tweedy followed that up in 2013 with another sterling effort, One True Vine.

‘Staples’ voice is a rich, liquid wonder’- Rolling Stone

OPENING ACT: Dwight and Nicole

Dwight & Nicole, an American roots band formed by recording artists Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson, bring an inspiring mashup of folk, blues, pop, jazz, gospel and reggae to their fresh interpretation of music.