Jazz and R&B vocalist Patti Austin last performed with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra about a decade ago. She returns for a two-night engagement in tribute to the great Ella Fitzgerald. Austin’s new recording, her 17th, is Avant-Gershwin, but she recorded the wonderful For Ella a few years back. Austin will perform songs from that recording along with other Fitzgerald standards tonight and tomorrow night. Maestro Albert-George Schram will conduct the symphony for this quiet storm evening at the Belk Theater. 8 p.m. $16-$65. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. www.charlottesymphony.org.
This article appears in May 9-15, 2007.