Friday, March 24, 2023 @ 7:00 pm, door open at 6:30

Monks Jazz Club, 501 Pedernales St Suite 2E, Austin, TX 78702

Get tickets at https://www.womeninjazz.org/events

Watch online at youtube.com/live/4wwhd8cv78c

Women in Jazz Association, Inc. presents Celebrating Women in Jazz, A Springtime Concert with vocalists Pamela Hart and Denesha Adrianna; pianist Heather Bennet; bassist Jessica Valls; guitarist Ariella Carvajal; drummer Masumi Jones; and percussionist Laura Mordecai. 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.

About the Performers

Denisha Adrianna is a Texas-native singer, songwriter, and vocal producer who always felt called to the arts. Throughout grade school she participated in her local church and school choirs, where she was selected to sing in the DFW metroplex choir, UIL competitions, and all region choir. Denisha furthered her education at the University of North Texas, where she got her degree in kinesiology. After graduating from UNT, Denisha moved back to Austin in search of a new beginning. Since being back in Austin she has had the opportunity to sing backgrounds for various artists, be a part of an amazing collective and direct vocals in Austin’s very own Stretch Music Band, as well as cultivate her own sound in the Music industry. In December 2022, she was featured in “The Precious Present” with Tapestry Dance.

Jazz pianist vocalist and composer Heather Bennett has many years of experience as a musician, educator and music director. In 2018 was her latest full CD release and first vocal recording,“Lazy Afternoon” (Summit Records). Since then she has been recording various original Gospel tracks, released independently on Spotify. Ms. Bennett began her performing career in Austin, TX where she produced two instrumental CD’s of her original material. In 1997 she made the move to NYC where she produced three more original jazz recordings for Apria Records. She had the opportunity in NYC to study extensively with Richie Beirach and then later with Sal Mosca., Heather has worked as a teaching artist in the NYC schools for over 20 years, while also enjoying many performing opportunities. She has worked extensively as a music director at various churches of different faiths since 1999. She is currently organist and music director at Presbyterian Church of Teaneck since 2014. She has performed and/or recorded with: Billy Hart, Rufus Reid, Dennis Irwin, Will Lee, Dave Pietro, Roseanna Vitro, Ada Rovatti, Randy Brecker, Ingrid Jensen, Greg Tardy, Ed Schuller, Rick Margitza, Joe Cohn, Danny Walsh, Daniel Carter, Pamela Hart, Ratzo Harris, Jaz Sawyer, George Schuller, Ari Hoenig. Mike Pope, Tim Horner, Bill Mobley, Pete McCann, Donny McCaslin, and Mike Richmond among others.

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.

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.

Laura Mordecai is a percussionist and harmony vocalist for Stephanie Urbina Jones, Robin Mordecai and Javier Chaparro and Salúd. She's recorded with these plus others including the legendary Beto y los Fairlanes

Laura is a member of the Recording Academy having proudly served terms as a Texas Chapter board member, Chapter Secretary and as Vice-President. She currently continues to serve as a member of the Chapter's Education Committee. She is also a member of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM Local 433), Austin Texas Musicians and a founding member of the Austin Jazz Society.

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.

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