Here’s to the Ladies
2013 Jazz Series

The hugely successful 2012 World of Jazz Builds a Library concert series was based upon jazz interpretations throughout the world.  For 2013, we’re exploring the distaff side of jazz in a four part series aptly titled “Here’s to the Ladies”.  We’ll be featuring 4 prominent female singers doing their unique interpretations of jazz classics and backed by strong jazz musicians.

Tickets are $20 each per concert, and are available by clicking the “Buy Now” button, or at Village Books, Sudden Valley Administration Office (Gate 2), or by calling either K.C. at 360-671-1709, or Mary at 360-306-1800.
Buy Jazz Series Tickets:

Pearl Django, with Anne Griffith, March 30: Pearl Django wowed a crowd of 275 jazz fans in the Dance Barn.  Anne Griffith added her lovely voice and style to the concert.  This was a great beginning to the  ”Here’s to the Ladies” 2013 jazz series.  Don’t miss the rest of the concerts!

Josephine Howell, June 8: Josephine is a wonderful Blues singer from Seattle, who is guaranteed to rock the Dance Barn.  Think of a young Ernestine Anderson.  Born in Chicago, “Josie” first explored her gift for singing in the children’s choir at her childhood church. It was the beginning of the foundation that would sustain her through a life filled with the type of experiences that inspire every song, every word, and every moment she is on stage.  Her voice tells a story in every song. Her drummer will be Jeff Busch, the musician who provided percussion for Jovino Santos Neto in October 2012. Buy tickets:

Laila Biali, September 28: Laila is fast becoming the new face of contemporary jazz. From touring with Suzanne Vega, Chris Botti and Paula Cole, to recording with and supporting Sting on his If On a Winter’s Night DVD and tour, her resume precedes her. She takes the best of pop, rock, classical and soul, informs it with her knowledge of Jazz and weaves it all into her musical arrangements seamlessly. Laila’s music has been presented at prestigious venues spanning four continents.  Based in both New York and Toronto, she is making her first west coast tour in 2013.

“Laila has the uncanny gift of making familiar songs sound brand new—and when we hear her new songs, it feels like we have known them for years. Laila invites us to a secret place that we never want to leave.”
- Robert Sadin, multi-Grammy award winning producer (Sting, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter)

Greta Matassa with tap dancer Jovon Miller, November 9: Greta Matassa is one of the most talented singers working in jazz today.  She has been voted “Northwest Vocalist of the Year” by Earshot Jazz six times!  She has been a mainstay on Seattle’s Jazz stages for many years, and with her recent successful performances at Dizzy’s Club in New York’s Lincoln Center, tours of Russia, Singapore, Hawaii and Japan, Greta’s sound is now reaching new audiences worldwide.

Although he’s only been at it for 5 years, Jovon Miller has established himself as one of the up and coming young lions of tap dance. In just his 2^nd year of tap, he received the prestigious Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Heineken USA Performing Arts Scholarship Award for 2009-10.  Greta and Jovon reprise their full house performance in the Sudden Valley Dance Barn in December, 2012.

All concerts take place at 3 p.m. in the Sudden Valley Dance Barn, Gate 2, 8 Barnview Ct., Bellingham.  Seating is limited and demand is expected to be high.  Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase at the concerts.  There is plentiful free parking.