'I certainly have an affinity for the people and the place': Curtis Stigers excited about Derry return for Jazz Festival
Genre-busting and multi-million selling Curtis Stigers is world-renowned, but says he has a ‘special affinity’ with Irish – and Derry – audiences.
The iconic singer, songwriter, saxophonist and guitarist will perform at the Millennium Forum on April 29 as part of the 25th Anniversary of the City of Derry Jazz Festival.
He received a phenomenal welcome to the city in 2014 and his return is one of the highlights of what is sure to be an incredible festival and celebration.
Curtis burst on to the music scene in 1991 with his now instantly-identifiable hits that include ‘I Wonder Why’ and ‘You’re All That Matters to Me’. In the years since, he has recorded for ‘The Bodyguard’ soundtrack, co-wrote an Emmy Award-nominated theme song for TV show “Sons Of Anarchy”, made cameo appearances in the movies “Ted” and “Ted 2” and all while cultivating a successful touring career and albums.
While he has toured around the world, he always enjoys coming back to Ireland, particularly due to the fact he is a big fan of Irish culture and music,
“Ireland, the whole Ireland, you live and breathe music. I love that about the culture. I always tell a story about the first time I went to a dinner party there and someone said: ‘Mary, stand up and sing us a song.’ And she stood up and sang, I leaned over to a friend, who was a fellow recording artist and asked what record label she records at. And he said: ‘No, she’s a school teacher.’ And, I thought: ‘Oh, so that’s how this works!” Everyone is musical.”
In recent times, he is also very much loving the ‘wonderful’ writing and shows of Derry’s own Lisa McGee.
Curtis and his wife are currently watching Lisa McGee’s ‘extraordinary’ ‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast;’ and he and his daughter also loved the ‘very funny’ ‘Derry Girls’
‘Extraordinary’ is also a word that could be used about Curtis’ career, in which he has successful navigated multiple genres and sounds, including pop, blues, rock, country and jazz.
"I’m 60 years old and I’ve been making records since I was 25 – playing music for 10 more than that. I’ve gotten to the point where I just call it ‘Curtis music’. I’ve so many different interests and people will see that when I play this concert. I play with an acoustic bass player and a jazz guitarist, I’ll be singing my old stuff and my singer/songwriter stuff, as my new album ‘Songs from my Kitchen Table’ is just me playing my guitar. We’ll play jazz. I’m all over the place and I no longer apologise for it. I play the song I feel like playing and I find the audiences really like it. Where the critics believe I’m pure enough in this area or that area I don’t really care anymore. I’m too old to give a damn!”
He can’t wait to once again perform for Irish audiences.
"I certainly have an affinity for the people and the place and they seem to have embraced me and accepted me. I’m so grateful for that.”
Curtis will headline the festival at the Millennium Forum on April 29, with tickets on sale from the Forum Box Office.
Telephone 71 264455 (option 1) or visit millenniumforum.co.uk for tickets.