Richie Havens 

 February 25, 2009

7:30pm, Kayhi Auditorium

 $20 Adults, $16 Students/Seniors

     Richie Havens is gifted with one of the most recognizable voices in popular music. His fiery, poignant, soulful singing style has remained unique and ageless since he first emerged from the Greenwich Village folk scene in the early 1960’s.   Havens’ historic appearance at the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Fair proved to be a major turning point in his career. As the festival’s opening act, his distinctive stage presence held the multitudes spellbound for nearly three hours. Called back for multiple encores and having exhausted his repertoire, he imporvised a song based on the spiritual “Motherless child” that became “Freedom,” a song that has subsequently reached an audience of millions.   In 2003, The National Music Council awarded Richie Havens the American Eagle Award in recognition of his contributions to America ’s musical heritage and for providing “a rare and inspiring voice of eloquence, integrity and social resposibility.” For four decades, Richie Havens has used his music to convey messages of brotherhood and personal freedom. With nearly thirty albums released and a rigorous touring schedule, he views his calling as a higher one. “I sing songs that move me,” he told The Denver Post, “I’m not in show business; I’m in the communications business, that’s what it’s about for me.”