Thurs,. April 3 Fri., April 4 Sat., April 5 Sun., April 6
  Thursday, April 3

A Tribute to Jazz Cabaret
7pm – 10pm   $55

The festival opens with an unforgettable evening of music, comedy and performance art.   

Described as a multi-talented cabaret/jazz singer/pianist/entertainer, Roxanna Ward is notorious for her swinging renditions of classic tunes and vivacious stage presence. Also performing is the quick witted comedienne, Karen Williams known for her biting and esoteric humor, and who the San Francisco Chronicle says, "will be sure to tickle your funny bone!" Rounding out the night is the winner of Fifth Annual Gwendolyn Brooks Competition, and 2003 Lambda Literary Award nominee, CC Carter, an insightful, sensual, improvisational performance artist and jazz poet. The chemistry between the threesome is electrifying and their spontaneous energy will leave the audience wanting more.

The Escena Country Club, Clubhouse and Grill
1100 Clubhouse View Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262

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Friday, April 4

The Wonderful World of Jazz
12pm – 3pm   $65

African, Brazilian and Cuban music merge into an exciting explosion of rhythm creating a kaleidoscope of harmonies and music for an afternoon of pure joy!

Adaawe is a group of 7 scintillating women, Joselyn Wilkinson, Anindo Marshall, Bridget Graham, Monique Afenjar, Phylliss Bailey-Brooks, Nakeiltha Campbell and Desiree Glover, creating an international fusion of African music, jazz-funk, Latin and Reggae. If that wasn't enough, Queen of the Latin violin Susie Hansen, described as "difficult to resist and highly recommended" (LA Jazz Scene), joins Cubanita vocalist Candi Sosa, who was recently featured in the documentary "Cerrando El Circulo" with Chucho Valdez, to lead their Latin jazz band Jazz Chicas, , featuring Iliana Rose on piano and vocals, Aneesa Strings on bass, Nakeiltha "Nikki" Campbell on congas and Coco Villalobos on timbales and vocals presenting a fiery blend of Latin jazz, straight ahead, Afro-Cuban and salsa. Adding the sugar to the rim of the glass is choreographer Sandra Grande (Latin Grammy's, Rio de Janeiro Carnival) who brings her  Samba2Love Dance Company to the festival, which adds an exciting dance duo integrating jazz and samba into a rhythmic celebration.

Indian Canyons Golf Resort
1100 East Murray Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92264

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Jazz Cinema
4pm – 6pm   $15

The festival features groundbreaking and fascinating award-winning films about Women in Jazz.

Judy Chaikin's critically acclaimed, multi-award winning documentary traces the turbulent history of women in jazz from the late 1930's to the present day. The Girls In The Band tells the poignant, untold stories of female jazz and big band instrumentalists and their fascinating, groundbreaking journeys from the late 20's to the present day. These incredibly talented women endured sexism, racism and diminished opportunities for decades, yet continue today to persevere, inspire and elevate their talents in a field that seldom welcomed them.

Meet one of the pioneers of women jazz musicians, Clora Bryant, known as "a hard driving bebop trumpeter. "She is prominently featured in the film and is a winner of the prestigious Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Award. (90min)

The Spa Hotel, 100 N. Indian Canyon Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(Entrance at Calle Encilia & Tahquitz Canyon Way)

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Jazz Under The Stars
7pm – 10pm   $75

A carefully crafted selection of exceptional musicians designed to produce countless memorable and unexpected surprises!

The evening opens outdoors under the stars with the 2007 winner of the Mary Lou Williams Piano Competition, acclaimed pianist Helen Sung, and the innovative and imaginative pianist/composer, Kait Dunton (touted as one of the Jazz.com's '10 Future Female Jazz Stars') in A Tribute to Marian McPartland, the late/great jazz pianist. The night of stargazing continues with SBJ's Women in Jazz All-Stars, a group of world-class musicians lead by "a consummate diva with a commanding stage presence, soulful and spellbinding voice" (The Messenger), 3x Bravo Award Winner for "Best Jazz Performance" and Festival Artistic Director, Sweet Baby J'ai. This gifted group of All-Stars features the charismatic contemporary jazz saxophonist, Pamela "The Saxtress" Williams, named Billboard's "Best Contemporary Jazz Artist", joined by the winner of 6 consecutive Downbeat Magazine international critic's polls, guitarist, Mimi Fox, and the internationally acclaimed Dutch vocalist and pianist, Sascha Dupont with Lynn Keller, voted as Diana Ross' and Rita Coolidge's "Best Bassist", and respected drummer, percussionist and clinician, Maria Martinez for a special night of artistry that expands the realms of jazz and combines the talents of this powerhouse of phenomenal women.

Indian Canyons Golf Resort
1100 East Murray Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92264

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Saturday, April 5

Jazz + Blues = Soul
12pm – 3pm   $65

From New York to Mississippi this afternoon of jazz and blues explores the roots of traditional jazz and its down home counterpart, Da' Blues.

Grammy-nominated saxophonist and flautist Carol Chaikin leads a quartet that pushes the definition of jazz into a new realm reminiscent of the "golden age of jazz" when women musicians were fierce but few. "Melodic compositions by Chaikin and other band members, jumps, jives, and screeches…the enthusiasm rings loud and clear," (Jazz Times). Awarded "Best Female Blues Singer" by the Los Angeles Music Awards, the powerful vocalist Lady GG, known for her deep contralto voice is joined by the winner of the 2008 Los Angeles MIC Award for "Jazz & Blues Vocalist for the Year, Marguaret Love for a dynamic duo sing-off. The two dynamos lead a spirited band of royality, The Queens of the Blues with keyboardist Matilda Haywood, bassist Elizabeth Hangan, drummer Andrea Byrd, and guitarist Kimberly "KC" Allison, a group that keeps alive the musical spirit of blues greats like Koko Taylor and Etta James.

Indian Canyons Golf Resort
1100 East Murray Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA92264

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Jazz Cinema
4pm – 6pm   $15

The festival features groundbreaking and fascinating award-winning films about women in jazz.

Meet the award-winning creator of film and television programming Andrea Meyerson when she joins us for the screening of her multi-award winning documentary, I Stand Corrected the true story of jazz bass virtuoso Jennifer Leitham, formerly known as John Leitham, who risked everything when she transitioned publicly at the height of her career. An intimate and compassionate study of Leitham's life, the film explores the self doubts and fears she wrestled with as she rose through the ranks of an often homophobic jazz world. Cocktails and conversation after the screening. (90 min)

The Spa Hotel
100 N. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262
(Entrance at Calle Encilia and Tahquitz Canyon Way)

 

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Jazz On The Smooth Side
7pm – 10pm   $75

A fusion of jazz and funk, this evening reaches across genres to dazzle audiences and leave them on their feet!

Described as having "one of the most breathtaking voices on planet Earth!" (SongTalk Magazine), Grammy-nominated vocalist Perla Batalla hypnotizes audiences with her deep contralto voice. She is joined by pianist, Karen Hammack, praised for "making her piano walk across the stage" (Sunset Music). Concluding the night is the amazing force of nature, Jazz In Pink, an all star female ensemble of jazz women that emanate talent, beauty, power and femininity with a special guest appearance by trumpeter Cindy Bradley, the 2011 American Smooth Jazz Award Winner for Best Brass Player and Best New Artist of the Year, who has been compared to jazz greats Freddie Hubbard and Lee Morgan. This sextet is led by band musical director, Gail Jhonson, the woman who "makes her keyboards glitter like a mosaic of pixilated notes," (Smooth Jazz News) and also features the multi-talented vocalist Lori Jeniare, one of the most sought after guitarist on the smooth jazz scene, Darlene Moreno, smoldering vocalist and ace percussionist Estaire Godinez, and the in-the-pocket queens, bassist Robin Bramlett and veteran drummer Benita Lewis.

Indians Canyons Golf Resort
1100 East Murray Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92264

 

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Sunday, April 6

"A Tribute to the Divas" Sunday Brunch
A White Party
11am - 2pm   $75

The Festival closes with an elegant "White Party" that pays homage to the great Ladies of Jazz and Blues; vocalists who have influenced the art of jazz forever - Dinah Washington, Asturd Gilberto and Angela Bofill.

The critically acclaimed, jazz and blues legend, Barbara Morrison pays tribute to the Queen of the Blues, Dinah Washington. "Morrison has a gift in the way she expresses a song that is not unlike Washington…her skill in vocalizing the last echo of a note so softly gives you the soothing feeling of landing on a velvet pillow," (Random Length News). Known as a singer's singer, Julie Kelly has a pure, clear mezzo-soprano voice that weaves effortlessly through intricate rhythms in her tribute the Brazilian bossa-nova legend, Astrud Gilberto. The late jazz critic Leonard Feather said of her, " Kelly radiates a sense of joy and spontaneity. Listening to her, you are reminded that jazz singing is still alive and well!" Rounding out the trio of vocalists is the effervescent, Dawn Bishop, whose voice has been described as full, smooth, earthly, heavenly, sincere, focused, edgy, and timeless, by paying homage to the soulful Angela Bofill. Prominent Jazz and R&B guitarist, Phil Upchurch said of the Sergio Mendez singer, "Bishop is the one, the golden child, and the best vocalist I've ever heard. Period." "The impressively commanding, swinging Karen Hammack Trio with Anna Stadlman on bass and Suzanne Morissette on drums superbly support the Divas" (Jazz Times)

Spa Hotel Ballroom
100 N. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262

 

This line-up is subject to change. Tickets are on sale.

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