2016 ARTISTS
Dee Dee Bridgewater
3 Grammy’s, 7 Grammy nominations and a Tony Award says it all. Dee Dee Bridgewater is known world-wide as one of the greatest jazz vocalists on the scene today. A true Ambassador of Jazz. She has played with Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins and Dexter Gordon.
Ann Hampton Callaway
“Ann Hampton Callaway, like the great jazz diva Sarah Vaughan… has a voice so rich, flexible and extravagantly gorgeous that it hardly matters what use she puts it to. The sound always comes first and is what you most remember.” …New York Times
Diane Schuur
Multi-Grammy Award winning vocalist and pianist - a living legend. A leading vocalist in contemporary jazz, Diane Schuur is as eclectic as she is brilliant. Nicknamed "Deedles" as a child (her mother’s endearment), Tacoma-born Schuur grew up steeped in traditional American jazz, courtesy of her parents’ formidable record collection with ample LPs by Duke Ellington and Dinah Washington.
Paula Atherton
Sax player/vocalist/songwriter and Kalimba Music recording artist Paula Atherton has shared the stage with such contemporary jazz notables as The Rippingtons, Nick Colionne, Chuck Loeb, Karen Briggs, Four80East, David Sanborn, Bob James, and Chieli Minucci to name a few.
Mimi Jones
Mimi Jones sound is a delicate fusion of traditional & contemporary jazz,
eclectic soul, funk, and rock.
The multi-talented bassist, vocalist, educator, composer, and Jazz
Ambassador travels worldwide as a sideman and a soloist artist with
extraordinary artists such as Kenny Barron, Lizz Wright, Terri Lyne
Carringtons Grammy winning Mosaic Project and the Tia Fuller Quartet to
name a few.
Tina Raymond
Drummer Tina Raymond has shared the stage with jazz luminaries including Bobby Bradford, Emil Richards, Art Lande, Darek Oles and Vinny Golia. Tina has performed nationally and internationally at many festivals including the Costa Rica’s International Jazz Festival, Sweden’s Women in Jazz Festival, and The Mary Lou Williams Festival.
Sunnie Paxton
Voted on of Los Angeles’ Best Jazz Performers in Los Angeles Magazine and listed in Jazz Week’s as one of the Top 100 Artists for radio spins, contemporary jazz pianist, songwriter, producer, and performer Sunnie Paxson is known for her driving grooves and memorable melodies. She worked extensively with Stanley Clarke, Harvey Mason, Michael Paulo, Everette Harp, Sekou Bunch, Michael Sembello, and many more.
Karen Hammack
Karen Hammack is a highly in-demand pianist who has toured all over the world as musical director with the likes of pop legend Melissa Manchester, Jazz and Gospel great Niki Haris, and currently with Grammy nominated world music artist Perla Batalla. These artists have taken her from Royce Hall to the Kennedy Center.
Karen is also an accomplished singer-songwriter and jazz composer.
Linda Taylor
Guitarist, composer for over 17 years on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” with Drew Carey and new host, Aisha Tyler. Has toured, recorded and/or performed with Art Garfunkel, Maia Sharp, Terri Lyne Carrington, Tracy Chapman, Sheila E., Christopher Cross, Carlos Rios, Edwin McCain, Don Was, Jim Keltner, Edward Roth, Richard Perry, Kirk Whalum, Namie Amuro, Chante Moore, Wayne Brady, Vesta Williams, Thelma Houston, Marilyn McCoo, Louis Price, and more.
Pam Trotter
Known for her role in Dream Girls, she has performed on television, radio, stage and recordings,and toured across the United States and Canada with the Broadway National Tour of THE COLOR PURPLE in her dream role as SOFIA. Williams has also worked with Babyface, Chante Moore, Sheila E., The Ohio Players.
Sascha Dupont
Award-winning songwriter and pianist/vocalist Sascha Dupont has four successful albums to her name, and did more than 80 shows on prime time TV in her native Denmark.
Rosalia de Cuba
Rosalía de Cuba is a singer with a powerful voice and great charisma that showcases Afro-Cuban Jazz and world music, Rosalía is a natural and joyful singer that shines on stage! When you hear her deep contralto voice, reminds you Cesaria Evora, Celia Cruz and Shirley Bassey.
Gennine Jackson
One of California’s most sought after vocalists, Gennine is a returning favorite of the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival. From the Great American Songbook to today, she effortlessly crosses genres bringing her fresh take on classics and modern hits alike.
Cathy Segal-Garcia
Cathy Segal-Garcia has been one of the main forces in building and connecting the L.A. jazz scene over the last 40 years. She’s sung, taught, produced, composed, and created situations in which everyone wins. With 9 CDs in the marketplace boast of her connections with top musicians. A silky warm voice and a relaxed and welcoming demeanor make her a welcome guest all over the world for anything she chooses to do.
Pamela Williams
Since topping the charts for five months with her debut album, The Saxtress, Pamela Williams has been a mainstay on the smooth jazz scene and has appeared with Prince, Patti LaBelle, Queen Latifah and Regina Belle.