The CAC presents another installment of its Music of New Orleans Series with a rare local concert appearance by British singer/songwriter Judith Owen. The concert will feature special guest musicians David Torkanowsky, Matt Perrine, Harry Shearer, and will also include a string quartet with new arrangements by Jay Weigel.

Equal parts musicality and wit, Owen's music combines pop, rock, jazz, classical, R&B and theatrical influences. Variety effusively describes her as "a charmer and a seducer, a rocker, and a jazz chanteuse." The Washington Post praises Owen's "rare talent for effortlessly crossing genres" adding, "her alluring vocals are a gift that keeps on giving."

Owen's newest album, Mopping Up Karma (Courgette Records; June 3, 2008) was recently described by a Boston Globe Arts cover story as "...blur(ring) the line between troubadour and chanteuse, pastoral beauty and urbane sophistication. Owen's voice is gorgeous. It's a phenomenally forthright instrument that whispers when necessary and wails when the moment calls for candor."

Among Owen's most ardent advocates are some of the world's finest contemporary musicians, many of whom Owen has collaborated with in recordings and tours: k.d. lang, bluesman Keb 'Mo, saxophonist Tom Scott, Julia Fordham, jazz vocalist Ian Shaw, Quantic and British folk-rock legend Richard Thompson, who was so impressed by Owen that he invited her to perform on his tour "1000 Years of Popular Music."

Cassandra Wilson calls her "one of the most passionate, mesmerizing, thoroughly creative vocal artists on the scene today." Jamie Cullum has deemed Owen a "female Randy Newman."

To purchase advance tickets: visit the CAC (900 Camp St.) from 11am-4pm; click here; or call the CAC Box Office at 504-528-3800. On day of show, tickets can also be purchased in person from 11 a.m. to one-half hour after curtain.