Award-winning Vocalist and Actor Headlines Black Heritage Celebration

Award-winning jazz vocalist and actor Yve Evans will headline the third annual Black Heritage Day  Celebration in Banning on February 26.

Evans, whose first name is pronounced "Eve," was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. Her first singing performance was in her church when she was 3 years old, before a congregation numbering 1,500 on Easter Sunday, according to her web site.

She later studied theater and opera at the School of Fine Arts at University of California at Irvine.

Evans cites legendary jazz vocalists Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Della Reese, Bobby Darin and Rosemary Clooney among her influences. On piano, she nods to master performers and composers including Erroll Garner, Bill Evans, Carmen McCrae and Shirley Horn.

As a stage performer and personality, she pays tribute to actress-singers Pearl Bailey and Della Reese.

Evans has performed throughout the Inland Empire and Southern California. She has also graced stages in Spain, Italy, Japan, Canada and in other countries.

She was recently honored twice by the Palm Springs Desert Theater League - with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 and the 2009 Best Actor Award for her role in "Going To St. Ives."

The event is scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. next Saturday at 175 W. Hays St. in Banning.

 Evans will perform during a soul food dinner. Individual tickets are $15 and $25 for couples. Advance tickets can be purchased from the Banning Cultural Alliance at (951) 922-4911.