Jessica King, vocals & washboard
Clint Baker, trumpet, trombone & clarinet
Jeff Hamilton, piano

Sure, you could stay home. But you’d miss the chance to tell your friends, “I saw Jessica King at Bird & Beckett before she became A Star.” Because Jessica is on her way for certain. She’s studied her craft from the inside out, but, even better, she’s made friends with the songs she sings, so her music is warm and welcoming. She started in the Bay Area swing dance community, so she knows her rhythm.

Jessica told us, “Since I was a girl, I’ve always loved blues, jazz, and R&B. I grew up listening to a lot of Nat Cole, Patsy Cline, Aretha Franklin, and Lauren Hill. These singers have had great influence on me vocally, along with Una Mae Carlisle, Peggy Lee, Bessie Smith, Anita O’Day, of course, Ella Fitzgerald, and probably my favorite of the bunch, Barbara Dane, who my mentor and dear friend Clint Baker introduced me to. I’ve been unbelievably lucky to work with Clint, among other local greats, including Isabelle Magidson. She has been endlessly encouraging throughout my musical journey, sharing her wisdom, experience, and mic with me.”

Lucky for us, both Clint (on whatever instruments he feels like bringing to the gig) and pianist Jeff Hamilton will be playing alongside Jessica. Both of them are swing and jazz masters with worldwide reputations. Their music is down-home and groovy but also delicate and precise, inventive and mellow.

Jeff and Clint have worked often with Jessica, and you’ll see the three of them smiling at each other throughout the evening.

Start the good works!

–from jazz maven Michael Steinman, whose Jazz Lives blog keeps us linked to the wondrous world of hot jazz