First Ladies of Jazz

First Ladies of Jazz celebrates three pioneering voices who helped shape jazz singing and the Great American Songbook: Mildred Bailey, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.

Curated and produced by Tim Johnson and Niagara jazz vocalist and presenter Juliet Dunn, the locally created production brings together three female vocalists backed by a jazz ensemble featuring JUNO Award and Order of Canada recipients.

Beginning with some of jazz's earliest vocal traditions and moving through the Great American Songbook, the performance explores the music and influence of Bailey — known as the Queen of Swing — Billie Holiday, the incomparable Lady Day, and Ella Fitzgerald, the Queen of Jazz.

Along the way, First Ladies of Jazz also looks at the musical traditions that came together in the development of jazz, tracing influences from African American, Indigenous American and European music.

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre identifies the production as part of its 2026/27 Local programming, recognizing performances created in Niagara or featuring current and former Niagara artists.

Tuesday, April 13, 2027 at 7:30 p.m.
Partridge Hall — FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre

Member tickets start at $23.50; regular tickets start at $26.

Curated and produced by Tim Johnson and Juliet Dunn.
Sponsored by Siris Tasting Room and Fred Wines.