Grammy-winning R&B singer brings 'Livin' on a High Note' to Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – With songs written for her by Neko Case, Aloe Blacc, Nick Cave, M. Ward and Ben Harper, Mavis Staples on Nov. 4 will serenade a Loeb Theater audience. This 8 p.m. performance is presented by Purdue Convocations with support from the Purdue Black Cultural Center, Davis Family, and Davis Family Endowment.

Ticket holders are invited to attend a preshow discussion at 7 p.m. in Stewart Center, Room 202. James Dekle, Purdue Cultural Center artist-in-residence, will discuss Staples and her influence on gospel music and civil rights.

Alongside her sisters and father, gospel luminary Roebuck "Pops" Staples, Staples propelled the Staple Singers to their first hit before she even graduated from high school. A 1963 meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired them to advance the civil rights movement through anthems like "Freedom's Highway" and "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)?" On the Stax/Volt label, Staples had crossover hits like "I'll Take You There" and "Respect Yourself."

In her solo career, Staples has collaborated with Bob Dylan and Prince. She won her first Grammy for 2010's "You Are Not Alone," and her latest album, "Livin' on a High Note, "features songs written for her by artists like Case, Blacc, Ward, Cave and Harper.

 "I know I don't have as much time on this Earth as I've already had, but I see it as saying, 'Mavis has been here, y'all,' " Staples says. "Before I move on, I just want to leave some Mavis with you that you're not used to hearing. I want to leave you with some joy and love, and some don't-forget-me songs."

Tickets are $44 for adults and $25 for those 18 years and younger, Purdue students and Ivy Tech Lafayette students. Tickets are available at the Stewart Center box office at 765-494-3933 or 800-914-SHOW. Group tickets are also available to groups of 10 more. Call 765-496-1977 for more details or visit https://purdue.edu/convocations/group-sales/

Initiated in 1902, Purdue Convocations was one of the first professional performing arts presenters in the United States. Each year, Convocations offers the region 30-40 performances of widely varying genres. Purdue Convocations aims to promote frequent exposure to and familiarity with human cultural expression in a multitude of forms and media.

Source: Abby Eddy, Purdue Convocations director of marketing, 765-494-9712, aeeddy@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Publication-quality photos are available at http://www.convocations.org/press