J’Nai Bridges’ recital for TEF takes on a special family meaning

Published 3:52 pm Saturday, February 11, 2023

THOMASVILLE- Last week’s recital by J’Nai Bridges was an artistic triumph as well as a family reunion of sorts, attracting guests and relatives of the artist aged two to 102 who traveled from as far away as Washington State to attend the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation concert.

The acclaimed mezzo-soprano, whose rich, plush vocals and engaging stage presence have taken her to the upper echelons of opera and concert venues, showcased her glorious voice in a long-awaited recital several years in the making and delayed by COVID. The intimate and acoustically special auditorium of Thomasville Center for the Arts was the setting for the recital, part of TEF’s milestone 85th performance season.

Bridges eased into a diverse program of art songs, arias and spirituals that got more playful and fiery as she went along, capping off the recital with a highlight performance from one of her signature title roles, “Habanero” (“L’amour est un oiseau rebelle”) from Georges Bizet’s 1875 opera, Carmen.

Among the family contingency on hand for the recital were Bridges’ parents, brother, nephew, aunts and cousins who traveled from Atlanta, St. Petersburg, FL and Seattle, WA to support the celebrated singer.

“We were excited to welcome a number of special guest patrons alongside our season ticket holders and local concertgoers, but none more special than 102-year-old Marion Gatlin Crawford, J’Nai’s great aunt, who was born in Thomasville in October 1920 and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School here in 1937, the same year Thomasville Entertainment Foundation was founded,” explained TEF Executive & Artistic Director Rick ivey. “Mrs. Crawford traveled from Atlanta to be with us to hear her great niece perform for the very first time.”

Of the event, Bridges said, “Last night’s recital in Thomasville was especially special! Once again, my village showed up and showed out. A huge thank you to Thomasville Entertainment Foundation for a fabulous recital series.”

Just prior to curtain time, Mayor Jay Flowers surprised Mrs. Crawford with an official proclamation welcoming her home to Thomasville and noting her lifetime of service to others as an educator and social worker.

Also on hand were Florida State University Visiting Associate Professor and Director of Opera Christiaan Crans, who cancelled the Thursday night opera rehearsal so a group of his students could experience Bridges’ classical recital. The FSU contingent had the opportunity to speak with the TEF artists during a post-concert meet-and-greet.

Winner of Marian Anderson Award, Leontyne Price Foundation Competition, Sphinx Competition Medal of Excellence, Richard Tucker Career Grant and two Grammy Awards, Bridges is at home on the world’s great opera and concert stages. During the 2019-20 season, she made her Metropolitan Opera debut in a highly acclaimed and sold-out run as Nefertiti in Philip Glass’ opera, Akhnaten, and her Washington National Opera debut as Dalila in Samson et Dalila.

The TEF concert was Bridges’ first performance in the State of Georgia.

TEF’s performance series continues February 28 with the Boston-based string orchestra, A Far Cry, followed by an appearance by the UK gospel ensemble The Kingdom Choir March 14 and a cabaret concert version of the Broadway musical, Ain’t Misbehavin,’ on April 11. 

For more information, visit the TEF website at www.TEFconcerts.com or call the office at 229-226-7404.