New American Singer & Education Africa Global Ambassador Mary Millben Debuts At The City Winery

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Jun 02, 2014, 10:30 ET

NEW YORK, June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a debut sold-out concert at The Cutting Room last summer, June 2013, Helen Hayes Award nominee Mary Millben returns to New York in concert this summer on Monday, June 9, 2014. Presented by The City Winery, Mary is happy to make a donation from concert proceeds to benefit Education Africa.

Live in concert at the VIP Club in Zagreb, Croatia February 27, 2013. Hosted by U.S. Ambassador Ken Merten & the US Embassy Zagreb for Black History Month. Photo by Renato Pejkovic. (PRNewsFoto/Mary Millben)

Millben, born and raised in Oklahoma and a daughter of ministers, grew up singing in church. Thanks to the faith instilled by her determined, single mother, it was a matter of time before this preacher's child would go from the hills of the South to the stages of the world. A versatile soprano with family roots in gospel music, she is quickly gaining a broad fan base having been a featured soloist for President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush and impressing audiences at such notable venues as the White House, the Kennedy Center, the famed Copacabana, as well as on stages across Asia and Europe.

Following a sold-out concert at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, May 28^th, 2014 in tribute to the late Marvin Hamlisch and a performance alongside television icon and guest speaker Oprah Winfrey at the Lavern Chatman for Congress fundraiser on April 6, 2014 in Arlington, VA, Mary is excited to return to NYC in concert.

"Thrilled to debut at The City Winery. Always been a longtime admirer of owner Michael Dorf, his commitment to music and his tireless philanthropic efforts."

To further add to her versatile credits, Millben sang at the 43^rd Super Bowl halftime show with Bruce Springsteen, was the featured soloist for the 102nd NAACP National Convention, sang in the 2009 Obama Inaugural Lincoln Memorial Concert, sang in the Barbra Streisand tribute at the 2008 Kennedy Center Honors and was a soloist in the 2008 National Symphony Orchestra Pops concert under the direction of the late Marvin Hamlisch and Dr. Joyce Garrett. Prior to entertainment, Millben served as a White House intern and Presidential appointee to President George W. Bush. Millben was recently named a Global Ambassador for Education Africa this past fall.

Dan Fisher, President of Education Africa in the US said, "Education Africa is immeasurably honored to have Mary Millben serve as Global Ambassador; endlessly advocating to provide quality education to the poorest of the poor. Through hands-on programs such as Early Childhood Development, "Edu-bike" Africa, "Arts & Culture" and others, Mary has "put her boots" on the ground to support these programs experiencing first-hand the positive impact on the lives of these children that quality education can provide. We are equally honored that Mary has taken her extraordinary talent to "pay it forward" and for that we are grateful."

Millben's concert is under the music direction of Broadway music director and pianist Shelton Becton and she is joined by some of America's top musicians including Chris Parker (drums), Sean Harkness (guitar), Francisco Centeno (bass), Matt Perri (keyboards), Brandon Felder (keyboards), Clark Gayton (trombone; currently on tour with Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band)), Skip Pruitt (saxophone) and Malachi Millben (congas). Background vocalists include Grammy Award winner Raymond Reeder, Victoria Purcell and Tamieka Jones. Showcase features the soulful tunes of Aretha Franklin and Billy Joel, to the classics of Barbra Streisand, to the timeless hits of Burt Bacharach, David Foster, Grammy nominated composer Steve Dorff, Bruce Aronson and more. Featured arrangements by Shelton Becton, David Alan Bunn, Brandon Felder and Ken Lundie.

Tickets are on sale at citywinery.com/newyork or by calling (212) 608-0555 ext. 714. $20 in advance/$25 at the door. A donation from proceeds will be made to the Education Africa. The City Winery --155 Varick Street, New York, NY, 10013. To learn more about Education Africa, visit: http://www.educationafrica.com/

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