Katt Hefner Continues New Musical Legend Tribute Series with

“Sophisticated Lady: The Songbook of Natalie Cole” on July 13



(Tampa Bay, Florida) -- On the heels of her two sold out WMNF Tribute to Aretha Franklin shows last fall, her “Sweet Nancy: A Toast to Nancy Wilson” performance last March and “Last Dance: A Tribute to Donna Summer" in May, musical showcase producer and jazz/R&B/soul song stylist Katt Hefner will be presenting another new legends tribute concert in July at Manatee Performing Arts Center, paying homage to the rich melodic legacy of R&B/Pop icon Natalie Cole.



"Sophisticated Lady: The Songbook of Natalie Cole," written and produced by Hefner, will be presented on Saturday evening, July 13, at Manatee Performing Arts Center’s Stone Hall. During this special tribute evening, Katt will be performing many of Cole’s most loved songs, accompanied by a full big band sound including some of the Tampa Bay area’s most respected players. In addition, Hefner’s daughter Dana Merriwether, an accomplished vocalist in her own right, will also be featured in the show, appearing as Natalie in her early years.

Katt Hefner is considered to be one of today’s international sirens to be watched. Her credits include musicals, television, movies, records and concerts that span the world, including the renowned Jazz in the Heritage Gardens festival in Moscow, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Sarasota Jazz Festival, Ringling International Art Festival’s Jazz by the Bay and at many regional jazz clubs throughout the country. She has shared the stage with such musical greats as Patti LaBelle, Ronnie Spector, The Count Basie Quartet, The Temptations and Luther Vandross, to name but a few. From dark sultry jazz to energetic pop, Hefner has produced goose bumps from Japan to her hometown of Ford City, Pennsylvania, through a passionate ebb and flow of sonic energy, engagement and a voice that comes right out from her soul directly to her audience.

Tickets for Hefner’s Natalie Cole tribute performance are available online at www.manateeperformingartscenter.com or by calling the MPAC Box Office at (941) 748-5875 which is located at 502 Third Avenue West in downtown Bradenton.

Highlights from Katt's March 8 performance at the Sarasota Jazz Festival:https://youtu.be/Tk9kK100oJI
Highlights from Katt's March 28 Nancy Wilson tribute show @St. Pete Palladium: https://youtu.be/HfimebW4P-I