A. Rochelle Harper a Genre Trip

Local Singer, Songwriter Rochelle Harper opening for Woodstock Legend Richie Havens at Concert Benefiting the Mississippi Gulf Coast in New York

Bay St. Louis, MS - Local resident, singer-songwriter and performer Rochelle Harper, also known on the Coast as Sista Jazz, will be the opening act for the Woodstock legend Richie Havens on Nov. 7th. Harper will perform at the historic Trinity Episcopal Church in Ossining, New York, just north of New York City. The 350+ seat event is expected to be sold out.
Rochelle Harper (www.rochelleharperband.net) has been performing for nine years from Mobile to New Orleans. Her style is as diverse as her wardrobes. Performing as Sista Jazz with her soulful-bluesy love songs in flowing Hollywood style gowns to her high energy Janis Joplin genre Hippie Blues, combined with a powerful stage presence has put her on a fast track to success. Harper will be performing solo in New York, which is quite a change for the artist that is normally backed by a six-piece band, which includes her husband and lead guitarist Gary Boswell. "It's a little scary to me to not have at least Gary on guitar backing me up, but I have my songs (all original) chosen and I'm ready to go. I have written a song for this event called From the River to The Bay that is a tribute to the efforts these folks have made and continue to make to this day to help South Mississippi. I am so blessed to have this opportunity".
Richie Haven's music career was born in the folk clubs of Greenwich Village; he went on to perform at major music festivals around the world. First on stage at Woodstock '69, his legendary three hour performance (including the famous improvised "Freedom" which became an anthem for a generation) continues to inspire musicians around the globe. A champion of many environmental and humanitarian causes, Mr. Havens has been a strong supporter of post Katrina efforts in the Gulf Coast.
The concert is the main fund raising event for the volunteer based organization RiverBuild. Proceeds will be used to help put families on the Mississippi Gulf Coast back into safe housing. RiverBuild is an all-volunteer relief effort dedicated to restoring and rebuilding homes on Mississippi's gulf coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. RiverBuild is a non-sectarian ministry and outreach of seven Episcopal churches in New York's Hudson River Valley. Drawn from the congregations and friends of the churches, the volunteer builders of Riverbuild are currently planning additional relief and re-building efforts for the Coast. RiverBuild does not employ staff, and 100% of funds collected are used to further the rebuilding efforts, supporting fundraising or providing tools, materials and skilled team leaders for the construction sites under the guidance of Katrina Relief (http://reliefvolunteers.com/) and the Waveland Citizens Fund (http://wavelandcitizensfund.org/).