Live & Local: Santa Cruz Women of Jazz Celebrate Ella Fitzgerald

Dubbed "The First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. Expect a fantastic musical trip that will bring you on a journey from swing-era classics of the 30's and 40's up through her more contemporary jazz repertoire. Interpreted by an impressive line-up of local, award-winning vocal talent, featuring: Gail Cruse, Vicki Coffis and Ann Whittington—from the popular trio Back in Time—known for their tight harmonies and swing era classics; the genre-transcending Ruby Rudman; Stella D’Oro, who fronts Santa Cruz’s own jazz quintet, Stella By Barlight; and Charmaigne Scott, 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. Superbly accompanying the Santa Cruz Women of Jazz are the Back in Time band featuring pianist Martan Mann, reedman Phil Smith and bassist Bill Bosch.