Barbara Shorts and Blue Jazz feature the powerful voice and dynamic stage presence of Barbara Ann Shorts, who has wowed audiences around the world over the course of her 75 years. Shorts has, indeed, toured the world, but is perhaps best known for her three-year stint as who is perhaps best known for her role as Big Bertha Williams in the hit Vernel Bagneris musical One Mo’ Time, and its New York sequel Further Mo. Shorts was raised in the gospel church, and was instrumental in the creation of the venerable group the Gospel Soul Children. One Mo Time was her first real professional role, which helped her launch a multi-decade international career that has waxed and waned over the decades. As she approached her 70s, Shorts regained the stage with renewed energy, performing in Le Petit Theatre’s gospel musical Crowns and releasing a new original tune, “Love on the Run.” Shorts, who earned a music education degree from Southern University, represents the old school sisterhood of New Orleans vocalists, steeped in church gospel, raised on R&B and street-corner doo-wop, and singing the blues from experience.