Date & Time: Saturday August 13 2021, 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Incarnation Episcopal Church, 1750 29th Avenue, San Francisco
Tickets: $25 General, $20 Seniors/Students
Women Compose Jazz!
A special evening of seldom heard jazz gems composed by women, from classics by Lil Hardin Armstrong and Bernice Petkere, swinging tunes by Mary Lou Williams, Melba Liston, and Marian McPartland, to music by contemporary masters Eliane Elias, Joanne Brackeen and Renee Rosnes, and some originals by Laura Klein.
About the Artists
- Laura Klein: piano
- Ruth Davies: bass
- Kelly Fasman: drums
Laura Klein (bandleader/pianist/composer) is delighted to be leading this celebration of women jazz composers. When she was first starting to play and compose jazz, she heard Marian McPartland, Mary Lou Williams, and Joanne Brackeen perform live on numerous occasions, and was inspired and influenced by these brilliant musicians. Laura has recorded her own compositions with FivePlay Jazz Quintet, Triceratops, and vibraphonist Ted Wolff. She has appeared with her own groups at numerous venues, including SF Jazz, Piedmont Piano Company, Vallejo Jazz, Pacifica Performances, and Sacramento Jazz Cooperative, and has been featured on KCSM’s “In the Moment” and “Desert Island Jazz”. This is her second appearance at Sunset Music and Arts.
Ruth Davies has performed with such jazz and blues greats as Keb’ Mo’, Charles Brown, Clark Terry, John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, Jay McShann, Van Morrison, Maria Muldaur, Junior Mance, Barbara Morrison, Etta Jones, Terry Gibbs, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Little Jimmy Scott. Her discography (including several Platinum and Grammy-winning CDs) covers various jazz and blues styles as well as movie soundtracks. She has recorded with Charles Brown, Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison, Clark Terry, Vassar Clements, Toots Thielemans, Ernie Watts, Elvin Bishop, Maria Muldaur, Jackie Ryan, and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, among others. She toured the world for ten years with the late Charles Brown, performing at major jazz festivals and concerts and on radio and television broadcasts worldwide. Ruth continues to spend considerable time abroad. She has recorded and performed internationally with Maria Muldaur, Denise Jannah, Dmitri Matheny and European pianist/composer Amina Figarova. Lately she has “returned to the roots” and travels with Elvin Bishop’s band.
Kelly Fasman (drums) is a dynamic performer whose propulsive playing adds excitement and dynamic range in any musical setting. She has performed with Kenny Loggins, The Moody Blues, Joan Baez, and Joan Rivers. She was the house drummer for The American Musical Theatre of San Jose, and has worked with Teatro Zinzanni, Broadway By the Bay, and Theatreworks. Kelly is the powerhouse of the 17 piece jazz orchestra, the Morchestra. She is a highly in-demand performer and educator on the Bay Area scene.