Songwriter Swap

Live at The Z Music Series

May 24, 2024

7:30pm

Main Stage Theater

The Songwriter Swap returns featuring 6 songwriters swapping songs and singing each other’s original music! In partnership with Big Juicy Entertainment

6:45pm to 7:15pm- Opening performance in the Lobby
7:30pm- Headlining Performance in the Main Stage 

Vocal Jazz Summit

Live at The Z Music Series

June 06, 2024 to June 09, 2024

A full weekend of Jazz!

Lobby, Main Stage Theater, Studio Theater, The Outside Terrace

The Vocal Jazz Summit is an annual conference designed to bring together jazz enthusiasts, emerging and established artists, industry leaders, and the greater jazz community to connect and engage one another in celebration of the artform, present unique educational experiences, and provide an environment to nurture and grow the jazz community. The weekend will engage festival-goers with live performance, interactive workshops and masterclasses, and networking opportunities.

säje

at the Vocal Jazz Summit

June 07, 2024

7:00pm

Main Stage Theater

The GRAMMY® nominated vocal supergroup, säje (rhymes with “beige”), is the brainchild of vocalist/composers Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage. Born out of close friendship and deep admiration, these world-renowned artists, composers, and arrangers have come together to explore, create, and celebrate the music that moves them. As individuals, each artist has crafted their own notable solo career, and now are delighted to bring their collective voices to this union, traversing a vast array of compelling original material, beloved jazz standards, and contemporary re-imaginings (The Bad Plus, YEBBA, Björk, etc). After debuting an inspiring and energized set at the 2020 Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans, säje went on to tour multiple jazz festivals and clubs from January to March. During quarantine, säje received their first GRAMMY® nomination, for their composition “Desert Song” in the Best Arrangement Instruments and Vocals category. They were awarded the John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Award for their second composition “Wisteria”, as well as their first Jazz Journalists Association Award Nomination for “Best Vocal Jazz Group”. The collective also recently received gracious support for their continued work through the Chamber Music of America New Jazz Works grant, the Super Patron Grant, the Jazz Road Creative Residencies grant, and the USC Visions + Voices grant. The union of säje is rooted in the tradition of joy, curiosity, lush harmony, heart-felt expression, and profound sisterhood.

Stephanie Nakasian

at the Vocal Jazz Summit

June 09, 2024

6pm

Main Stage Theater

Stephanie Nakasian is an exciting, well-seasoned vocalist and master of innovative jazz improvisation, completely authentic with a fresh and vibrant sound all her own. Bringing high energy to every performance, Stephanie enthralls listeners with her pure tones and a flawless delivery, engaging them on a personal level with a love for the music that is playful, electric and spontaneous in story and song.

Then & Now: Stephanie came to international attention in the mid-80s when she sang and toured with the vocal jazz master Jon Hendricks and Company. She continues to tour and record as a vocal leader to this day!