The Lowell Summer Music Series is bringing first-timer Joss Stone to Boarding House Park on July 11th! I have one album of hers which I love so I am excited to finally see her.

“At just thirty-two years old, Joss Stone has already enjoyed a long career and made a name for herself as one of the world’s most unique and distinctive singer-songwriters. Marching to no one’s drum but her own, Joss Stone comes to Lowell this summer as part of her 200-country-spanning Total World Tour, blending Afro-pop, funk, and soul for an electrifying night of music.

Joss Stone (Official Photo)

“A singer-songwriter from Devon, UK, Joss Stone has been captivated by soul music since she was a little girl. As she moved through her early teens, she intuitively honed her now-trademark gravelly-but-lustrous vocals by singing along to Aretha’s Franklin’s Greatest Hits. She began pursuing a singing career at thirteen, securing a record deal at fifteen, and recording her star-making critically acclaimed debut album, The Soul Sessions, which was released in 2003. The EMI/S-Curve Records Grammy and Brit award-winning Stone has released seven studio albums since as she has continued in her journey of musical exploration.

“She has kept the company of musical royalty from the outset, performing alongside many legendary artists such as James Brown, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Sting, Van Morrison, Carlos Santana, and Melissa Etheridge amongst many others. She’s has collaborated with and contributed to albums for many of the world’s finest musicians, including Jeff Beck, Sting, Mick Jagger, and Damien Marley. The list goes on.

Joss Stone (Official Photo)

“Joss’s love of music and fierce independence led her to break away from the constraints of being tied to a label, which has enabled her to explore many different genres of music. The joy that she finds in her chosen artistry has helped her to forge ahead, always looking to break new ground both musically and in her life. It is evident that Stone is an independent soul, a true free spirit. Some may call her rebellious, others would say that she is a young woman who is completely confident in her chosen direction and is at peace with all that that means.

“In 2015, her album Water for Your Soul was released, achieving a spot as a number-one reggae album upon release and voted best reggae album by Billboard. Water For Your Soul is rooted in reggae and sprinkled with world influences, clearly demonstrating how the teen soul prodigy has blossomed into an artist of style and substance. It is an album that pulses with liquid grooves and dazzles with the mix & match sonic adventure of hip-hop, shimmering with the exotic sounds of world music while delivering the emotional belt of R’n’B.

“Currently, Joss Stone is embarking on her most audacious project to date – The Total World Tour – in which she attempts to perform in over 200 countries, with over 150 countries complete so far. Recently, Stone has collaborated on the new Afro-pop, funk, and soul influenced album Project Mama Earth with internationally renowned musicians Nitin Sawhney, Étienne M’Bappé, Jonathan Shorten, and Jonathan Joseph. The resulting EP has enjoyed much critical acclaim and is demonstrative of Stone’s foray into new territories.”

Tickets for the Joss Stone show are priced at $47 in advance. There are also premium seats – beach chairs are provided by the Series – set in two rows directly in front of the stage for $147. Tickets for this show go on sale Friday, January 10th at 10 a.m. through Lowell Summer Music Series, by calling 1-800-657-8774, or by visiting the Lowell Memorial Auditorium box office, open Monday-Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.. Children under 12 are always free courtesy of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union – parents, this is a great way to introduce your kids to live music in a safe, family-friendly environment. Don’t forget their ear protection!

For those of you who are unaware of the Series, or if you are aware of it but have never attended a show there, it is an outdoor (weather permitting) concert series held on National Park Service grounds in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Series is not-for-profit, which helps keep the ticket prices reasonable. The Series is co-presented by the Lowell Festival Foundation and Lowell National Historical Park.

Surrounding Boarding House Park are old mill buildings, part of the Lowell National Historical Park, which you can tour if you arrive early enough. They provide an unusual setting for an evening of great music and ambiance.

The Series generally runs from mid-June to early September.

This Series is dear to my heart. I have been a season pass holder since 2007 and it is one of the highlights of the year (and of summer in particular) for me. Many lasting friendships have been made there. I expect this will be another excellent year!

I will post additional announcements for the Series as they are made.

So far, the  lineup is:

July 11 (Saturday) – Joss Stone