The melodically diverse collection, which includes guest appearances from Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Keb’ Mo’, Dionne Warwick, Dave Koz, and Joe Sample (in one of his last recordings) is the gifted singer’s first new studio album since 2004’s, When I Look Down That Road.

Manchester’s career is remarkable not only for its longevity and accomplishments, but for its versatility. Following her stint as a founding member of Bette Midler’s Harlettes, Manchester’s tremendously successful solo career brought her critical and commercial acclaim. The “Midnight Blue” singer received her first Grammy nomination for Best Pop Female Vocal Performance in 1979 for the Peter Allen/Carole Bayer Sager-penned, “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” winning the Grammy in that category four years later for, “You Should Hear How She Talks About You.”

Manchester has also had her songs recorded by Barbra Streisand, Roberta Flack, Dusty Springfield, Alison Krauss, Kenny Loggins and many others. Two songs she performed, “Through The Eyes Of Love” and “The Promise,” were nominated for Oscars in the same year. She has written tunes for several other films including The Great Mouse Detective, Lady and the Tramp II, Dirty Girl, and Tyler Perry’s For Colored Girls.

She has appeared on both the large (For The Boys) and small (Blossom) screen, as well as the stage, including co-creating the Ovation-nominated ballroom dance extravaganza Fascinating Rhythms.

With You Gotta Love the Life, Manchester embraces the sum-total of her multi-faceted career with verve and vibrancy. And while she may have more experience than she did when she got her start, her passion and drive remain undiminished. “My hunger is the same hunger I had when I was 17,” she says. “This album is what I know for sure at last.”

Sponsored by Jackson National Life

Presented by Franklin Theatre Live