Bessie, Billie, & Nina – Pioneering Women in Jazz

From the Jim Crow era-South through the turbulent 1960s, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone were among the most influential and popular singers of their times. Featuring three dynamic vocalists and backed by an all-female band, Charenée Wade, Vanisha Gould, and Tahira Clayton celebrate the enduring legacies of these iconic women and artists with performances of their classic songs, including “Downhearted Blues,” “Strange Fruit,” and “Mississippi Goddam.” Their contributions resonate with today’s artists across many genres, as well as with ongoing movements toward progress and equality for women, African-Americans, and the LGBTQ community.

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