Win Tickets to Ruthie Foster

present Ruthie Foster, a celebrated blues and gospel singer, Saturday at 8 p.m. for a stop on her "Soul Salvation tour, with Paul Thorn opening.

Foster was nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for her album "The Truth According to Ruthie Foster." Her new album, "Let It Burn," was recorded at Piety Studios in New Orleans.

Scott Sheldon, the head of the Sanctuary Concerts, described "Let It Burn" as "a dark, smoky mix of sparsely-crafted originals" and "haunting interpretations of an unexpected collection of covers."

Foster was twice named Female Artist of the Year in 2010 by the Blues Music Award for Contemporary Blues and the Living Blues Music Award Critic's Poll. She also was named Best Female Vocalist at the 2008 Austin Music Award. Fans have seen her on the PBS show "Austin City Limits" and on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered." She has also appeared and collaborated with Bonnie Raitt, Warren Haynes, the Blind Boys of Alabama and Derek Trucks.

Now on her "Soul Salvation" tour, Foster lends her voice, which has been compared to Aretha Franklin and Mavis Staples. She appears Saturday with her band in Chatham Township.

The tour also features Mississippi songwriter Paul Thorn, who has been compared to Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits.

The joint appearance, Sheldon said, is "rare. ... They blend blues, rock, gospel, folk, R&B and country music. It is their shared experience of the lively church music of their youth that has made them such compelling entertainers."

Foster and Thorn will appear in concert at the at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Sanctuary Concerts.

Tickets may be purchased by telephone at (973) 376-4946, by email at boxoffice@sanctuaryconcerts.org or at the door. Tickets are $25 each and include desserts and coffee at intermission.

The Sanctuary Concerts and Chatham Patch have teamed up to offer fans the chance to win a pair of free tickets to see Foster and Thorn. The two tickets will go to the first person to correctly answer the trivia question below:

Ruthie Foster, the soul/blues/folk/gospel tornado coming to The Sanctuary Concerts Saturday with her red-hot band and featured guest Paul Thorn, is often compared to Aretha Franklin and Tracy Chapman. However, Ruthie’s first musical influence was a young songwriter who started writing songs while growing up on chicken farm in New Jersey. Who was Ruthie’s inspiration?

Think you know the answer? Email Laura.Silvius@Patch.com for the chance to win tickets to see Ruthie Foster and Paul Thorn Saturday at the Sanctuary Concerts!