First Ladies of Jazz

This concert celebrates three jazz legends: Mildred Bailey, the Queen of Swing; Billie Holiday, Lady Day; and Ella Fitzgerald, the Queen of Jazz. Through their distinctive voices and groundbreaking artistry, these icons shaped the sound of jazz and left an enduring mark on music history.

Presented by Tim Johnson (RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked The World) and Juliet Dunn (Niagara Jazz Festival), the performance features three vocalists backed by a jazz ensemble of JUNO Award and Order of Canada recipients. Together they perform timeless songs from the Great American Songbook while tracing the musical roots of jazz — a vibrant fusion of African American, American Indian, and European traditions.