Stratford-born violinist Kersten Stevens, widely celebrated as the Queen of the Violin, is coming home to Fairfield County for a one-night-only live album recording concert at SHU Community Theatre. The event, set for Sunday, May 17 at 6:00 p.m., will capture Queen of the Violin – LIVE!, Stevens’ highly anticipated sixth album.
A Yale University alumna and six-time Apollo Theater winner, Stevens has earned national acclaim for her genre-defying performances. Her artistry blends jazz, gospel, soul, and Black cultural storytelling with unmatched intensity, captivating audiences across the country. She has performed at iconic venues including the Apollo Theater and City Winery and shared the stage with legends like Ray Charles, Faith Evans, Regina Carter, Kim Burrell, Keyon Harrold, and Lakecia Benjamin. The May 17 show will also feature surprise appearances from Grammy Award-winning artists, to be announced.
Highlights of the performance
Stevens’ live recording will spotlight music from her latest project, Queen Rising, co-produced by 11-time Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride. The album, which debuted in the JazzWeek Top 40, showcases her signature violin style a fusion of technical mastery, emotional depth, and cultural expression. Her prior performance at SHU Community Theatre with McBride earned widespread praise, cementing the venue as a meaningful homecoming stage for the artist.
The May concert promises a mix of new music and fan favorites, reflecting Stevens’ journey as both a musician and a member of the Fairfield community. Her performance offers a rare opportunity for jazz enthusiasts and audiences of all backgrounds to connect through a shared, culturally rich experience.
The artist behind the music
Stevens’ journey began at age three when she first picked up the violin. By twelve, she discovered jazz, developing a lifelong passion for improvisation and genre-crossing artistry. She has earned top honors from the NAACP ACT-SO Awards and Hal Jackson’s Talented Teen competition. A Yale graduate with degrees in music and African American studies, Stevens studied under legendary jazz violinist John Blake, Jr., cultivating a sound that is technically brilliant, spiritually grounded, and emotionally resonant.
Her performances have impressed audiences including President Barack Obama, Angela Bassett, Babyface, Usher, and Denzel Washington. Critics have praised her for blending funk, gospel, jazz, and Latin influences into performances described as “breathtaking pyrotechnics” and “pure joy.” Christian McBride, who has collaborated with Stevens, calls her “a fantastic talent” and urges audiences to experience her albums without delay.
Tickets and VIP experiences
Tickets for the May 17 performance go on sale Friday, April 3, at 12:00 p.m. ET, starting at $25 at https://bit.ly/QueenoftheViolinLiveRecording. Premium VIP tickets are $65, including a signed pre-sale copy of Stevens’ new album and access to a post-show VIP reception. A subscriber presale is available at kerstenstevens.com beginning Thursday, April 2 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
SHU Community Theatre is located at 1420 Post Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824. For more information, visit www.kerstenstevens.com and follow Stevens on Instagram @kerstenstevens and Facebook @fansofkerstenstevens.
Source: Cheryl Duncan & Company Inc. press release
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