J’Nai makes her Carnegie Hall Recital Debut

On December 13, JNai made her Carnegie Hall Recital Debut with pianist Mark Markham, with works by Mahler, Ravel, Danielpour, Margaret Bonds, Undine S. Moore and more.

“Bridges, a rich-toned mezzo-soprano with a calmly commanding stage presence, delivers a program that runs the gamut from imaginary Asia to true-life America, giving voice to women of color along the way. Accompanied by the pianist Mark Markham, she sings Ravel’s fantastical “Shéhérazade” and Mahler’s heart-wrenching “Kindertotenlieder.” In an aria from Richard Danielpour’s “Margaret Garner,” she embodies a dark, enslaved past, and in “Oh, Glory”—a song written for her by the composer Shawn Okpebholo, its spiritual lines and jazzy underlay spiked with muted modernism—she looks to the future.” — The New Yorker

“Her voice is a rich blanket of plush sound, capacious and flexible, with a panoply of colors and weights, and as she demonstrated from the start, she’s not afraid of doing nothing.” — Opera News 

“Demonstrating her versatility, interpretation, and passion for performing, J’Nai Bridges undoubtedly created an impression that will have audiences talking for quite some time to come.” — OperaWire

“A very good voice, rich and beautiful…she sang with dignity and feeling.” — The New Criterion

“A lyric mezzo-soprano with a regal, classic sound” — Seen and Heard International

“Bridges’ voice is unique among singers today…She is a superb actress, moving her gorgeous voice to the emotions of the words and notes she is singing.” — Berkshire Fine Arts