Listen Locally Downstairs: vocalist Jessica Lee and guitarist Mark Strickland - Great Women in Jazz - Carnegie in Carnegie

An intimate musical journey exploring the songs and stories of the great women of jazz. Jessica and Mark will perform songs celebrating the singers of the early years – the Blues of Mamie Smith and Bessie Smith and the Gospel music of Mahalia Jackson.

They will journey into the Jazz Era featuring songs from Pittsburgh’s own Maxine Sullivan and those she influenced: Billie Holiday; Sarah Vaughan; Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee. They’ll then enter the crossover genre of “Rhythm, Jazz & Blues” with the songs of Etta James, Aretha Franklin and Roberta Flack. Jessica and Mark will end the show with their interpretations of original music written by Jessica and friends with messages for our current times and challenges and our hopes for future days.