Multi-award-winning singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway brings her intimate one-woman show to Live At the Orinda! on Jan. 21. She will sing songs from her new CD Finding Beauty, as well as songs from those who inspired her, such as Carole King, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Paul Simon.
Following appearances in London and Paris, multi-platinum singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway brings her velvety tones to the Orinda Theatre, Jan. 21.
The in-demand performer, whose songs have been recorded by Barbra Streisand, Carole King, Patti LuPone, Liza Minnelli, Karrin Allyson and Michael Feinstein, will accompany herself on piano and share intimate stories of her career at the Orinda venue.
Callaway will perform songs by those who have inspired her, such as Carole King, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Paul Simon.
“I do a few cool mashups of their songs with mine where you see the beautiful connection between our spirits,” said Callaway.
She will share songs from her new CD, Finding Beauty: Originals Vol. 1, which features songs co-written with Oscar-winner Alan Bergman, Grammy-winner Melissa Manchester and Golden Globe-winner Amanda McBroom. The CD also includes Callaway’s frequent musical partner and sister, Emmy-winning Liz Callaway.
In a career studded with accomplishments, Callaway noted one in particular – helping to create and star in the Broadway musical Swing! She was nominated for a Tony for her role and won a Theatre World Award. The cast album was also nominated for a Grammy Award.
“It was my lifelong dream to be in a Broadway musical and, as I like to say, it only took 21 years to become an overnight sensation,” said Callaway.
Callaway has characterized herself as a “worried optimist,” which she explains as someone who looks for “silver linings and beauty” in all things and people.
“But I am also keenly aware of how much needs to be done to make this world safer, more loving and fairer,” said Callaway. “It’s hard to relax when so many people are being unjustly treated.”
The busy singer has always found time to be involved with philanthropic and humanitarian causes and hopes her music can make a difference as well. One of her current concerns involves the rising tide of prejudice, violence and hatred and the wars spawned by such emotions.
“It is absolutely senseless and barbaric,” she said. “I don’t know if music can solve all the world’s problems, but as an artist, I think we can surely try our best.”
To that end, Callaway wrote songs such as At the Same Time, Love and Let Love and Be the Light to address such issues.
“I hope by opening my heart through my music, I can open others. Once the heart is open, the mind is soon to follow,” said Callaway.
While promoting her new CD on concert tours around the world, Callaway is also writing additional songs for a follow-up CD and considering other challenges.
“I’d like to write another Broadway musical and create new symphony shows since I love working with orchestras,” she noted. “I also have a dream of taking a year off and traveling the world interviewing people in remote places, writing songs based on their answers and recording them with local musicians. It would be a global portrait of the gorgeous tapestry of mankind.”
Before Callaway can turn her dream into a documentary or CD, however, she must concentrate on traveling from one location to another as she shares her current music.
“Travel has become unreliable and baffling much of the time,” she said. “It increases the stress of an already demanding life for all artists trying to bring happiness to people. I feel like I sing for free but get paid to travel. Maybe I should start my own airline!”
Ann Hampton Callaway appears at Live At the Orinda! Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. at the Orinda Theatre, 4 Orinda Theatre Square, Orinda. For tickets, go to orindamovies.com/events/.
