Bessie, Billie, Nina: Pioneering Jazz Women

From the Jim Crow era-South through the turbulent 1960s, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, and Nina Simone wielded their exceptional talents to combat racial prejudice, sexism, and poverty. Featuring three dynamic vocalists backed by an all-female band, this concert celebrates the enduring legacies of these iconic women and artists with performances of their classic songs, including Downhearted Blues, Strange Fruit, and Mississippi Goddam.

Produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning Eli Wolf, and with arrangements by musical director Carmen Staff, this special concert features three dynamic vocalists: Charenée Wade, Camille Thurman, and Tahira Clayton.