Rozlyn Sorrell
The Performance
When Rozlyn Sorrell sings her signature “I’ve Got To Sing My Song,” it’s undiluted, pure, organic truth. She displays resplendent vocal artistry and has been blessed with an extraordinary gift. Offering a finely tuned mix of popular, semi-classical and/or sacred-themed repertoire in a concert performance, she reveals a soothing grace, innate regal bearing and a calming emotional honesty sung deep from the heart.
A New York native, Rozlyn spent a number of years performing in music and film in Los Angeles before relocating to North Carolina where she operates a private vocal studio while expanding her concert touring and work in film, TV and music. She has performed or recorded with artists including Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Al Jarreau, Cece Winans and others. Film and television appearances include Diplomatic Immunity, Nightmare on Elm Street III, General Hospital and Matlock. Sorrell's remarkable dramatic abilities and vocal range have also taken her into some of this nation's largest cathedrals where she has appeared as guest soloist.
Her integrity, passion and unique vocal talent ring with equal clarity, whether she's performing classics from the American Popular Songbook or concentrating on traditional spiritual and contemporary gospel repertoire. In 2009, Rozlyn was the featured guest soloist for the full holiday tour of the North Carolina Symphony. She performed the role originated by Audra McDonald in Theatre-in-the-Park's production of Terrence McNally's play Master Class. In 2011, Rozlyn was among the vocalists from around the world selected for the Assisi Performing Arts Festival in Assisi, Italy.
As Rozlyn Sorrell hit her final note on Gershwin's "I Loves You, Porgy" when appearing as special guest vocalist with the North Carolina Symphony in the Booth Amphitheatre, there was that glorious moment of silent "awe" en masse — before more than 7,000 concertgoers rose to their feet in thunderous acclaim. It really doesn't get any better than that.
In a Word…
"At the end of the song, she slid up as the orchestra slid down in a stylized keening over the dead, an effect that raised goose bumps...."
- Honolulu Star Bulletin
"...brillliant soprano, tones crystal clear, diction impeccable...thunderous applause following each of her arias." - Los Angeles Sentinel
"... deep, rich chest tones as well as roof-raising high notes...examples of vocal virtuosity to which everyone in the audience responded with shouts of appreciation." - Classical Voice of North Carolina.
A Presenter's Point of View
You're always thankful for those flecks of memory that remain so incredibly vivid that just a momentary recollection still brings goose bumps and deep emotion. That's how I feel about the first time I heard Rozlyn Sorrell. It was a huge crowd, an outdoor symphony concert. When she made her entrance as the symphony's guest soloist, the regal bearing seemed almost incandescent. When she sang, it brought an overwhelming sense of wonder and amazement — not just from me, but among the several thousand people sitting there under those trees and stars. We were all being introduced for our first time, and she was saying, "I am here." As an emerging concert touring artist, whatever stages she graces in the future will be able to say they provided those moments as well.