Gospel Legend Mavis Staples to Perform at McCarter

Soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples will perform on McCarter Theatre's Matthews stage in Princeton Borough on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 7:30 p.m.

Staples has one of the most recognizable voices in contemporary music.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and lead singer of the first family of gospel music, the Staples Singers (“I’ll Take You There,” “Respect Yourself”), she was named by Rolling Stone as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

She is responsible for blazing a rhythm and blues trail while never relinquishing her gospel roots, and influencing artists from Bob Dylan to Prince, who dubbed her “the epitome of soul.”

Her latest release had her collaborating with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, who wrote two of the songs for the Grammy-winning album You Are Not Alone, which he also produced.

Soul music authority Rob Bowman said, “For more than 50 years, Mavis Staples has been a national treasure, working her vocal magic on the highways and byways for gospel, folk, and soul music. With both her family group, the Staple Singers, and as a solo artist in her own right, she has helped to define much of what is righteous and soulful in American music.”

Tickets start at $35 ($15 student tickets with valid ID) by calling (609) 258-2787; visiting www.mccarter.org; or in person at the McCarter Theatre ticket office located at 91 University Place.