She’s the “Empress of Soul.” Her hit songs, with and without the Pips, are a treasure trove: “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “That’s What Friends Are For,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” and “Neither One of Us,” among others.

Gladys Knight will be honored when Lauri E. Smalls portrays the iconic singer at Miss Lottie’s Café at the Norwich Arts Center on Friday. She’ll be backed by Miss Lottie’s Café Band.

Smalls is a jazz and gospel singer who is pastor of the Union Baptist Church in New Bedford, Mass. She has sung with the local affiliate of the Harlem Gospel Choir and RPM voices.

Miss Lottie’s Café, 8 p.m. Friday, Donald L. Oat Theater, Norwich Arts Center, 62 Broadway, Norwich; $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, members of the miliary, students, and $18 for NAC members; norwicharts.org.