by Marie Black

Case study: the female jazz singer. Sultry, just under boiling over. The queen of the smoke-filled room. Still dazzling, still mysterious. She schooby doos and bop-ditti-di-bops her way into our hearts. Hanging in there despite the dizzying array of temptations to choose more lucrative means of expression.

Celebrating these chanteuses is the Women in Jazz Concert Series, returning this time for a first-time ever two-night stint at the Victory Grill, June 20-21, 1997. And the line-up is filthy-rich with talent. Take a look.

Friday Night
Pamela Hart: Traditional jazz singer extraordinaire and organizer of the series.
Donna Menthol: This 10-year veteran mixes the mediums -- jazz with pop, funk, and the more classical.
Hope Morgan: This exciting singer known for amazing scat sequences has studied with Max Roach and Ron Carter.
Suzi Stern-Luna: This lady's rooted in the classics, but with an experimental twist.
Beth Ullman: Bringin' it to ya straight on with traditional ballads/swing tunes, this Clarksville Jazz Festival veteran.
Nancy Webb: This fairly new newcomer to the Austin jazz scene also drives straight on with those "oh so golden" jazz tunes.
House Band: Jeff Helmer Trio featuring John Mills on saxophone.

Saturday Night
Heather Benett Trio: This young up-n-coming jazz pianist shows her stuff for the first time for the WIJ Series. But she's no beginner: she just finished self producing her second CD, most of the material on which she wrote and composed herself and which includes an all-women jazz band.
Karan Chavis: Based in Bryan, this lovely is known in the Austin area for her scorching appearances at Top of the Mark performing with The Brew.
Mady Kaye: Putting the "Ssssss" in sophisticated, Mady sings, struts and shows us all how it's done.
Willie Nicholson: Back from Texarkana, this lady sings the Blues of Jazz. She's also sings the now famous duet of "Route 66" with Pam Hart.
House Band: Sandy Allen Trio with Tony Campise on various horns.

This Women In Jazz showcase promises to be a smokin' weekend. Don't miss it at the Victory (bring your own alcohol) Grill, 1104 East 11th Street, corner of 11th and Waller. For more info, call Pam Hart at (512) 258-3414.