DEMOPOLIS, Ala. – The sounds of Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Tina Turner and other great female musical talents will highlight a production featuring gospel, jazz and contemporary vocalist Brenda “B.J.” Reed at the Demopolis Civic Center.

“Lady Sings the Blues” featuring B.J. Reed will be presented July 23 at 7 p.m. at the center, located at 501 N Commissioners Ave. Presented by the Two Rivers Arts Council, the presentation will feature a night of jazz, rhythm and blues, a council member said.

According to her press bio, Reed is acclaimed by fans, audiences and critics alike for her dynamic and captivating vocal performances. For years, she has touched the hearts of many through her soulful performances.

“‘B.J.,’ as she is affectionately called, delivers incredibly moving vocal performances that embraces her strong social, philosophical and religious values,” the release states.

Reed has traveled throughout the United States performing soul-stirring renditions of some of America’s best-loved recordings. Included in her travels are Las Vegas, Nev., where she sang at several area lounges on the Las Vegas strip; Harlem, N.Y., where she performed at the Apollo Theater live on “Showtime At The Apollo” (1991); Washington, D.C. on Capitol Hill (1997), where she sang at the birthday celebration of Senator Ted Kennedy; Houston, Texas, for the wedding of former LA Lakers player, Robert Horry (1999); and Savanna, Ga., where she was a quarter finalist in the International American Traditions Competition during the “Savannah On Stage Arts Festival” (2002), according to the release.

Reed was winner of the Pride Talent Search as the “Female Vocalist of the Year” in 1990, 1995 and 1998. Her professional debut was launched in 1999 at the Bama Theater.

Although Reeds says gospel is her first love, she performs jazz, R&B and other genres of music in collaboration with a variety of local and national musicians. She studied voice at Stillman College under the direction of Dr. James A. Williams in 1976-78. She attended Nancy Bounds Modeling and Finishing School in Omaha, Neb., in 1989. Reed returned to Stillman in 2000 and graduated with honors in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Today, Reed continues to entertain at a variety of events and works devoutly to inspire the youth as a vocal instructor for the Alabama Blues Project.

Tickets for the Lady Sings the Blues performance are $10 and can be purchased at the door; admission is free for arts council members. The arts council will provide light refreshments.

“Please feel free to bring anything sweet or savory and bring your own beverage of choice,” Judy Et, a council member said.

For more information contact Morgan Allen at 334.289.1595 or visit www.brendabjreed.com