CWA Athenaeum features New Orleans jazz artists in free concert

The University of Colorado’s Conference on World Affairs Athenaeum will host acclaimed New Orleans singer and entertainer Lillian Boutté and pianist-vocalist Henry Butler for a free concert, "After the Flood: From New Orleans With Love." Butler and Boutté will be joined by the University of Colorado Jazz Combo and other special guests.

The concert will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 in the Glenn Miller Ballroom in the University Memorial Center at CU-Boulder. While the event is free and open to the public, attendees must preregister on a first-come, first-served basis at www.cwajazz.com while space is available.
Lillian Boutté's vocals are a monument to jazz, gospel, and rhythm and blues artistry. She is the city of New Orleans' official Ambassador of Music and the only musician since Louis Armstrong to receive this honored title. Boutté was featured in the documentary “The Sound After the Storm,” which portrayed her efforts to bring awareness of post-Katrina New Orleans.

Henry Butler is a premier exponent of the great New Orleans jazz and blues piano tradition. Blind since birth, Butler has been playing the piano since age 6, and arranging, composing and performing professionally since 12. Butler's home, piano and library of braille sheet music were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. He now resides in Brooklyn.

The CWA Athenaeum Series is a student-run offshoot of the Conference on World Affairs. The program brings acclaimed presenters to campus to interact with CU students in classes throughout the academic year. Athenaeum programs also each include a public event, which is always free and open to all.