THIS CONCERT IS SOLD OUT.

Jazz at the Bechtler welcomes back vocalist and actress Maria Howell for a special performance Friday, July 6 with the Ziad Jazz Quartet.

Best known for her role as the choir soloist in the 1985 Oscar-nominated movie The Color Purple, Howell's singing talents have also been featured in the ABC television series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles where she portrayed Goldie, a nightclub singer. Currently, Howell can be seen in the movie What to Expect When You're Expecting.

Throughout her career, Howell has shared the stage with Ray Charles, Najee, George Howard, Ramsey Lewis, George Benson, General Johnson (Chairmen of the Board) and others. She considers jazz her favorite musical genre. "Jazz has kept me from wondering too far into the sea of uncertainty," Howell said. "I feel more at home in this world of beautiful melodies." She has been known to leave audiences mesmerized with her powerful, sultry, smooth voice, mixing R&B, gospel and soul into her renditions of jazz classics.

Among the songs Howell will perform during the concert are Black Coffee, Cheek To Cheek, At Last and Old Devil Moon.

This concert is sold out. Jazz at the Bechtler is performed from 6 to 8 p.m. in the museum lobby. Cash bar. Museum galleries are open until 9 p.m.

Visit the Jazz at the Bechtler page for the dates and themes of upcoming concerts.

Charlotte Magazine selected the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art as "Best Jazz Club" in its 2012 Best of the Best issue.

Photo: Maria Howell © Garrett Garms/WSSU