Celebrating Women in Jazz, A Springtime Dinner and Concert with vocalists Candace Bellamy, Melissa Briggs, and Pamela Hart and trumpeter Rachael Spencer. The supporting band includes Juliana Silveira-piano; Jessica Valls-bass; Lauren Gould-sax and Masumi Jones-drums. This all women show showcases Austin, Texas’ jazz talent and aptitude from musicians who are passionate about jazz performance, education and its importance to the world. Throughout history women have shaped the jazz scene with sultry and sassy singing, dynamic drumming, haunting horns, beguiling bass and poetic piano. Jazz is in them, and they perform it, teach it, advocate for it and passionately share it.

Concert producer and vocalist Pamela Hart came from a house hold filled with jazz recordings and her mother’s singing. Hailed by Austin Woman Magazine as the “First Lady of Jazz” Pamela hasn’t stopped loving jazz since age five. She is a founding partner of the Women in Jazz Association, Inc. and is the producer of this event.

Holding a Masters in Community Music, Lauryn Gould enjoys a vibrant career as a performer, educator, composer/arranger, and community music facilitator. She makes music in a wide variety of contexts, both locally and internationally.

The highly demanded Masumi Jones moved to the United States from Japan to study at Berklee College of Music in 1995. Since settling in Austin, Texas she has been playing with many Austin bands such as Alex Coke Quartet, Mitch Watkins Trio, Jitterbug Vipers, Sarah Sharp, 35mm, Austin Jazz Workshop, Tapestry Tap Dance Company, and more.

A physician by day and singer by night, Candace Bellamy could not ignore the urge to sing jazz. Since settling in Austin, Texas Candace has been playing with many Austin bands such as Alex Coke Quartet, Mitch Watkins Trio, Jitterbug Vipers, Sarah Sharp, 35mm, Austin Jazz Workshop, Tapestry Tap Dance Company, and more. The Austin Chronicle wrote,” Bellamy’s calling card is her voice, a smoky, soulful instrument of joy…”

Melissa Raquel is the Band Leader of Honeybee Jazz Music. She began her professional career at the age of 16 in her hometown of Houston, Texas. Melissa’s vocals have been described as jubilant in its highs, soulful in its lows, and mellifluous at its core.

Juliana Silveira is a Brazilian pianist graduated from Santa Marcelina University in São Paulo-Brazil. She took part in a wide range of different bands from the rich music scene in São Paulo, from big bands and singers projects to piano solo concerts. In 2017 she moved to Austin, Texas where she continues her work as a performer and educator while pursuing a Master Degree in Jazz Piano Performance at the University of Texas.

Ohio native Rachel Spencer is known for her stylistic prowess in a wide range of genres, and expressive tone. She has performed at TMEA, OMEA, the Tanglewood Music Center, and has traveled to Hong Kong as a featured performer in the Chinese New Year Parade. Rachel holds a Master of Music from the University of Texas at Austin. Rachel has devoted her energy to the forward motion of music education and jazz education. She is a founding member of Jazz Girls Texas, and has served on faculty at the Longhorn Music Camp and Texas Jazz and Blues Camp. Rachel works Production Central at the annual Jazz Education Network Conference.

Double bassist Dr. Jessica Valls is an Austin, Texas-native musician who exemplifies the ubiquitous artistry of a true music lover, heeding to no one genre, discipline, or stage. Performing regularly with several orchestras including the Austin and San Antonio Symphonies, Jessica is previous principal bassist for Orquestra da Rádio e Televisão Cultura in São Paulo, Brazil. Currently Dr. Valls is on faculty at Southwestern University, Huston-Tillotson University, The Girls’ School of Austin and maintains a private studio of budding string players of all ages.

You can hear all of this talent at the Celebrating Women in Jazz Concert on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 3:00 pm at the Sterling Event Center, 6134 US-290, Austin, TX 78752. To top it off, the concert includes a dinner buffet. Doors Open and Dinner Buffet Served at 2:00 pm and the concert starts at 3:00 pm. Reserved Tickets are $65 plus fees (includes buffet dinner served at 2:00 pm) available at sterlingeventscenter.com or call 512-261-0142 or 512-632-3050

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department and a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts. For more information on the Women in Jazz Association, Inc. visit www.womeninjazz.org