Cécile McLorin Salvant is a composer, singer and visual artist. Jessye Norman described the artist as having "a unique voice backed by a complete intelligence and musicality that illuminates every note she sings." Salvant has developed a passion for storytelling and the search for connections between vaudeville, blues, folk traditions from around the world, theater, jazz and baroque music, unearthing rarely recorded and forgotten songs with strong narratives, unexpected twists and humor.

The artist's latest work, "Ogresse," is a musical fable in cantata form that blends genres (folk, baroque, jazz, country). Salvant wrote the story, lyrics and music. The work is arranged by Darcy James Argue for a thirteen-piece orchestra and multi-instrumentalists. Ogresse explores fetishism, hunger, diaspora, cycles of appropriation, lying, alteration, and ecology.