Live & Local: Santa Cruz Women of Jazz

Santa Cruz Women of Jazz features an impressive line-up of local, vocal talent featuring Gail Cruse, Ann Whittington, Ruby Rudman, Charmaigne Scott, Vicki Coffis, and Stella D’Oro. Three of the vocalists, Cruse, Coffis and Whittington are from the popular Back in Time vocal trio, known for their tight harmonies and swing era classics. Whittington has also led her own excellent groups for many years, with a warm vocal style favoring modern jazz classics. Ruby Rudman has sung it all, jazz, pop, funk/fusion. She has been featured locally with the Robin Anderson Big Band and fusion band Barbies in Jail. Charmaigne Scott is one of the Bay Area’s most celebrated blues, funk and soul singers, and a crowd favorite at the Monterey Bay Blues Festival for many years. She is also a wonderful, dynamic jazz vocalist. Stella D’Oro is the lead singer for Santa Cruz’s Stella By Barlight, a fine jazz quintet playing the music of Anita O’Day, June Christy and other jazz legends. The Back in Time band, featuring pianist Martan Mann, reedman Phil Smith and bassist Bill Bosch, superbly accompanies the Santa Cruz Women of Jazz. Expect an evening of contemporary jazz to classics of the Swing Era.