For much of the last decade, Andra Day has made a name for herself as one of the most distinct and moving voices in soul and R&B. She rose from a popular YouTube account, where she covered pop hits, to performing at the White House, the Academy Awards, and the Super Bowl, singing the unofficial Black national anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Her portrayal of Billie Holiday in the Lee Daniels’ biopic The United States vs. Billie Holiday earned her both the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, and a GRAMMY for the film’s soundtrack. She’ll launch the 2024 SummerStage season as the free opening night performance, joined by the multi-talented model and singer Ebony Riley, who draws influence in equal measure from the gospel stylings of the Clark sisters and modern R&B and soul queens Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, and Erykah Badu on her debut 7-track EP ebony; the nascent R&B singer Alex Vaughn, whose latest EP The Hurtbook features production from Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins and made her one of Spotify’s “R&B Rising Artists To Watch.” With support from local radio stalwart DJ Lady D Wells, spinning classic hip-hop, house, reggae and modern R&B. In association with Blue Note Jazz Festival.

This show will feature an additional special performance by the La Guardia HS Gospel Choir.