Popular ‘Satin Dolls’ Show Returns to Sierra Madre

Phyllis Battle salutes the great female jazz vocalists, including Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone and Carmen McRae, singing their songs and evoking their styles in a loving tribute, accompanied by a live combo in "Satin Dolls," this weekend at the .

The era of great songs sung by the great women of jazz returns, as Phyllis Battle engages the audience with thrilling renditions of the American jazz standards associated with these legendary ladies of song.

Popular jazz radio host James Janisse will appear as announcer.

After an early success at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theatre, Ms. Battle came to Los Angeles and subsequently toured with Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Donna Summer, Rita Coolidge and others. She opened for Poncho Sanchez, Ronnie Laws, Dianne Reeves and Gerald Albright.

Phyllis recorded with Stanley Clarke, George Duke, the S.O.S Band, and more. She joined the legendary pop/rock group The Fifth Dimension and performed with them for sixteen years. She was artistic director of the Instrumental Women Project’s Annual Lady Jazz Series at the Ford Amphitheater for its first four years.

Vanessa Burch is musical director. An alumna of USC, she has toured with greats ranging from Gladys Knight to Natalie Cole. She has served often as a musical director, including three years of the Annual Lady Jazz Series performances at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater.

The other musicians, John B. Williams and Roy McCurdy, have played with a long list of entertainment legends, including a lengthy stint with Nancy Wilson.

“Satin Dolls” is produced by The Instrumental Women Project, a member organization of the Pasadena Arts Council non-profit EMERGE program.

The one-night only performance will be staged at the on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $30 each, though group discount may be available by calling (626) 355-4318.

This article was provided to Patch by Philip Sokoloff and the Sierra Madre Playhouse.