The Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival | April 3rd-6th, 2014

In 2013, The Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival celebrated a sold-out event. This year, the fun in the sun concept moves the festival outdoors to the beautiful Indian Canyons Resort. “Everyone was so positive and has raved about the event, ” says Gail Christian, event producer and half of L&G Events, “April in Palm Springs is beautiful so we’re not going to miss it.”

The beautiful grounds of the Indian Canyons Golf Resort highlight this year’s events. Once considered a hidden gem off the beaten path, Indian Canyons can be found right in the heart of the all the action in Palm Springs. Festival goers can enjoy the amazing sounds of jazz and blues while experiencing the panoramic views of the surrounding San Jacinto mountains.

The festival is just a 2-hour drive east of Los Angeles and northeast of San Diego, and just a 4-hour drive west of Phoenix AZ. Palm Springs enjoys 350 days of sunny and warm weather each year with an abundance of “fun in the sun” for visitors. The sunshine and natural beauty make The Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival a wonderful place to relax and enjoy a weekend with friends, family, and lovers of great jazz, blues, Latin and more!

For the latest information on the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival including musical lineups, visit pswomensjazzfestival.com and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmSpringsWomensJazzFestival


Partial Schedule of Events: For a full schedule visit the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival

Thursday, April 3rd, 7pm – 10pm $55
The festival opens with A Tribute to Jazz Cabaret: an unforgettable evening of music, comedy and performance art.

Described as a multi-talented cabaret/jazz singer/pianist/entertainer, Roxanna Ward is notorious for her swinging renditions of classic tunes and vivacious stage presence. Also performing is the quick witted comedienne, Karen Williams known for her biting and esoteric humor, and who the San Francisco Chronicle says, “will be sure to tickle your funny bone!” Rounding out the night is the winner of Fifth Annual Gwendolyn Brooks Competition, and 2003 Lambda Literary Award nominee, CC Carter, an insightful, sensual, improvisational performance artist and jazz poet. The chemistry between the threesome is electrifying and their spontaneous energy will leave the audience wanting more.

Where: The Escena County Club, Clubhouse and Grill, 1100 Clubhouse View Dr., PS, CA 92262 760-992-0002

Friday, April 4th, 4pm – 6pm $10
Jazz Under The Stars: A carefully crafted selection of exceptional musicians designed to produce countless memorable and unexpected surprises!

The evening opens outdoors under the stars with the 2007 winner ofthe Mary Lou Williams Piano Competition, acclaimed pianist Helen Sung, and the innovative and imaginative pianist/composer, Kait Dunton (touted as one of the Jazz.com’s ‘10 Future Female Jazz Stars’) in A Tribute to Marian McPartland, the late/great jazz pianist. The night of stargazing continues with SBJ’s Women in Jazz All-Stars, a group of world-class musicians lead by “a consummate diva with a commanding stage presence, soulful and spellbinding voice” (The Messenger), 3x Bravo Award Winner for “Best Jazz Performance” and Festival Artistic Director, Sweet Baby J’ai. This gifted group of All-Stars features the charismatic contemporary jazz saxophonist, Pamela “The Saxtress” Williams, named Billboard’s “Best Contemporary Jazz Artist”, joined by the winner of 6 consecutive Downbeat Magazine international critic’s polls, guitarist, Mimi Fox, and the internationally acclaimed Dutch vocalist and pianist, Sascha Dupont for a special night of artistry that expands the realms of jazz and combines the talents of this powerhouse of phenomenal women.

Where: Indian Canyons Golf Resort, 1100 East Murray Canyon Dr., PS 92264, 760-833-8700

Saturday, April 5, 12pm – 3pm $65
Jazz + Blues = Soul: From New York to Mississippi this afternoon of jazz and blues explores the roots of traditional jazz and its down home counterpart, Da’ Blues.

Grammy-nominated saxophonist and flautist Carol Chaikin leads a quartet that pushes the definition of jazz into a new realm reminiscentof the “golden age of jazz” when women musicians were fierce but few. “Melodic compositions by Chaikin and other band members, jumps, jives, and screeches…the enthusiasm rings loud and clear, ” (Jazz Times). Awarded “Best Female Blues Singer” by the Los Angeles Music Awards, the powerful vocalist Lady GG, known for her deep contralto voice is joined by the winner of the 2008 Los Angeles MIC Award for “Jazz & Blues Vocalist for the Year, Marguaret Love for a dynamic duo sing-off. The two dynamos lead a spirited band of royalty, The Queens of the Blues a group that keeps alive the musical spirit of blues greats like Koko Taylor and Etta James.

Where: Indian Canyons Golf Resort, 1100 East Murray Canyon Dr., PS 92264, 760-833-8700

Saturday, April 5, 7pm – 10pm $75
Jazz On The Smooth Side: A fusion of jazz and funk, this evening reaches across genres to dazzle audiences and leave them on their feet!

Described as having “one of the most breathtaking voices on planet Earth!” (SongTalk Magazine), Grammy-nominated vocalist Perla Batalla hypnotizes audiences with her deep contralto voice. She is joined by pianist, Karen Hammack, praised for “making her piano walk across the stage” (Sunset Music). Concluding the night is the amazing force of nature, Jazz In Pink, an all star female ensemble of jazz women that emanate talent, beauty, power and femininity with a special guest appearance by trumpeter Cindy Bradley, the 2011 American Smooth Jazz Award Winner for Best Brass Player and Best New Artist of the Year, who has been compared to jazz greats Freddie Hubbard and Lee Morgan. This sextet is led by world renowned violinist Karen Briggs, considered one of the most innovative jazz violinists in the business, and band musical director, Gail Jhonson, the woman who “makes her keyboards glitter like a mosaic of pixilated notes, ” (Smooth Jazz News) and also features the multi-talented vocalist Lori Jeniare.

Where: Indians Canyons Golf Resort, 1100 East Murray Canyon Dr., PS, 92264, 760-833-8700

Sunday, April 6, 11am – 2pm $75
“A Tribute to the Divas” Sunday Brunch: The festival closes with a homage to the great Ladies of Jazz and Blues; vocalists who have influenced the art of jazz forever – Dinah Washington, Astrud Gilberto and Angela Bofill.

The critically acclaimed, jazz and blues legend, Barbara Morrison pays tribute to the Queen of the Blues, Dinah Washington. “Morrison has a gift in the way she expresses a song that is not unlike Washington…her skill in vocalizing the last echo of a note so softly gives you the soothing feeling of landing on a velvet pillow, ” (Random Length News). Known as a singer’s singer, Julie Kelly has a pure, clear mezzo-soprano voice that weaves effortlessly through intricate rhythms in her tribute the Brazilian bossa-nova legend, Astrud Gilberto. The late jazz critic Leonard Feather said of her, ” Kelly radiates a sense of joy and spontaneity. Listening to her, you are reminded that jazz singing is still alive and well!” Rounding out the trio of vocalists is the effervescent, Dawn Bishop, whose voice has been described as full, smooth, earthly, heavenly, sincere, focused, edgy, and timeless, by paying homage to the soulful Angela Bofill. Prominent Jazz and R&B guitarist, Phil Upchurch said of the Sergio Mendez singer, “Bishop is the one, the golden child, and the best vocalist I’ve ever heard. Period.” The divas are supported by the swinging, ever popular Los Angeles based, Karen Hammack Trio.