North Windham Union Church’s Music with a Mission concert series presents Heather Masse of The Wailin’ Jennys with pianist Jed Wilson in concert Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m.
A New York-based singer-songwriter, Masse grew up in rural Maine and began singing at an early age. Trained at the New England Conservatory of Music as a jazz singer, she is steeped in the jazz tradition, which informs her distinct approach to singing folk, pop and bluegrass.
A member of the folk group, The Wailin’ Jennys, Masse has performed at hundreds of venues across the world. She has been a frequent guest on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion, both as a solo performer and as a member of The Jennys. On the show, she has collaborated with artists such as Elvis Costello, Wynton Marsalis, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, and Emmylou Harris.
Masse has performed with the contemporary bluegrass band The Wayfaring Strangers, fiddle virtuoso Mark O’Connor’s Hot Swing, and in 2006, recorded an album with Joy Kills Sorrow, a contemporary string band. Releasing her first full-length album in 2009, she delivered “Bird Song,” her solo debut on Red House Records. The Wailin’ Jenny’s newest recording, “Bright Morning Stars” released in 2011, won a Canadian Juno and features original songs from all three members of the band. Her newest release on Red House Records, “Lock My Heart” is an album of jazz standards and originals with the legendary pianist, Dick Hyman. It has been on the Billboard charts since its release in February 2013.
Since 2013 Music with a Mission concerts sponsored by the North Windham Union Church have provided more than $25,000 for mission support to the church and other local nonprofit organizations. Masse has chosen to support SMART Child and Family Services with the community proceeds from this concert. The mission of SMART, based on Route 115 in North Windham, is to partner with individuals, families and communities to provide integrated and compassionate behavioral health services to improve the well-being of those in need.
Tickets are $15 for all seats, and are available online at www.mwamconcerts.com or at the door. The box office opens at 6 p.m. Seating is general admission. The North Windham Union Church is located at 723 Roosevelt Trail in Windham. For more information, call 892-7149 or email MWAMconcerts@gmail.com.
Music with a Mission’s last concert for the 2015 season will feature Heather Masse of the The Wailin’ Jennys. Masse is a Maine native.Courtesy photoSend questions/comments to the editors.
