Ora Reed brings free global jazz, gospel concert to Oxford

Oxford’s free music calendar will soon open its doors to Ora Reed, an internationally traveled vocalist and pianist whose work blends jazz, gospel and spirituals. The concert is set for May 26 at 6 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Oxford, 924 Van Buren Ave., and admission is free.

Reed’s program offers a rare chance for Lafayette County listeners to hear a Mississippi native with a résumé that reaches far beyond the Delta. Her concert biography says she grew up in Greenville and Lexington, earned her bachelor’s degree in music from Jackson State University, and has performed in Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and at Carnegie Hall. She is also described as a three-time cancer survivor and Mississippi’s cultural ambassador since 2006.

Her recording history adds another layer to the draw. Reed’s debut album of jazz standards was released on an independent Japanese label, followed by later recordings titled A Little Something New and Simply Black and White. That mix of jazz polish and gospel-rooted feeling is part of what makes her appeal wider than any one audience. Listeners who follow jazz will hear a seasoned interpreter, while churchgoers and fans of spiritual music will recognize the warmth and lift in her voice and piano work.

The concert also fits squarely into First Presbyterian Church’s Music at First series, which has built a reputation for offering performances to the public without charge. The church’s 2024-2025 concert booklet says the series is meant to share “stunning performances firsthand,” and says all concerts and events are free of charge. The booklet also notes that the church opens its space and instruments to the community and that the public is warmly invited.

That long-running commitment helps explain why this concert matters in Oxford. Music at First is not a one-off booking but part of a regular season that included events on Sept. 18, Oct. 21, Feb. 2, March 13 and May 2, 2025. For residents looking for an accessible evening downtown, Reed’s appearance brings together an accomplished performer, a local church venue and a no-cost ticket price that keeps the event open to families, students, seniors and anyone else interested in live music.