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Singer/Songwriter Kenny Wesley To Open For The Legendary Stephanie Mills

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Grammy Award-winning Songstress and Broadway Star Stephanie Mills will be performing at The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA, on Saturday, April 30th at 7:30PM with Howard University Alum Kenny Wesley as the opening act.

Making his Birchmere debut is Washington, D.C.'s own emerging star, Kenny Wesley. A former Pre-med major turned international jazz and soul musical linguist, Kenny stands poised to captivate the audience with his 4-octave range and sultry tone."It will definitely be an out-of-body experience meeting and performing with someone whose music has been the soundtrack of my childhood. I am deeply honored and grateful for this opportunity," says Kenny.

Originally from Jacksonville, North Carolina, Kenny created his first compositions for voice and piano by the age of 9. His love for music and foreign languages—he speaks three languages fluently—led him to Howard University; he will receive his MA in Spanish in May 2011. Kenny has opened for numerous artists including Anthony David, Carl Thomas, N'dambi and Maya Azucena; has shared the stage with countless legendary artists such as Yolanda Adams, Mike Phillips, Jean Carne and Gordon Chambers; has been featured on national television: in 2004, his song and video “Epiphany," co-written by Timothy Butler, was featured on ABC's The View. Kenny's 2010 highlights included: performing at the 2010 DC Jazz Festival, the 2010 Capital Jazz Festival with “Soul Sista Serenade," being featured on the 2010 Kemp Mill CD Compilation, on Soul Unsigned Records' Contemporary Soul Songbook: Vol. 3 and sharing lead vocals with band mate Rallo on 76 Degrees West Band's remake of Earth, Wind & Fire's “Shining Star."

Kenny's voice is often compared to legendary soul crooners of years past as Grammy Award- winning singer/songwriter Gordon Chambers states, “Kenny's tenor is Hathaway deep, Luther warm and, in terms of color, could only be described as golden. Truly an anointing moment whenever he and a microphone cross paths" and Ann Marie Collymore AKA “Tha Connoisseur"- Soulafrodisiac.com testifies, “Let me tell ya'll, lord this chile can SANG. If you ever get a chance to see him in and around your part of town, go take the show in."

WHAT: Kenny Wesley opens for STEPHANIE MILLS @ The Birchmere
WHEN: Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 7:30PM (Doors open at 7:00PM)
WHERE: The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305, (703.549.7500) birchmere.com
Ticket price: $69.50 (Tickets sold through the Birchmere Box Office and Ticketmaster)

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