Welcome to the Overture to Overtown Jazz Series 2024!
Music, Poetry, and Conversation Honoring the Legacy of the "Harlem of the South"
Thursday, March 21, 2024 celebrates International Women's Month with Carole-Ann Taylor and Nicole Yarling, vocalists, accompanied by Marc Irwin on piano.
Lolita Steward-White is the poet for the evening.
Hosted by Dr. Rebecca Friedman, Founder/Director of the Wolfsonian FIU Public Humanities Lab and Dr. Deborah Briggs, VP of Arts and Community Engagement at The Betsy Hotel.
Marc Irwin, pianist, composer, arranger, plays contemporary, jazz, classical, and world music. He has spent decades on the NY scene in all genres and spaces - and has a Doctorate in Music Composition and Theory from Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
Carole Ann Taylor is a noted jazz singer who worked with the likes of Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton and is known as Miami's “first lady of jazz.” Taylor was a founding member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and is co-producer of The Betsy’s Overture to Overtown Jazz Series.
Nicole Yarling holds a B.A. in Music from Baruch College and a Master's in Music Education from Columbia University - and is a force in Miami Jazz, presenting as both a vocalist and violinist - and she is a powerful communicator that includes the power of poetry in her performances.
Lolita Stewart White is a poet, playwright, screenwriter, filmmaker, and educator who lives and works in Miami, FL. She is a Pushcart nominee and the winner of the Paris-American Reading Series.
Get ready for a toe-tapping, finger-snapping good time as we bring you the best of jazz in person. Join us for a series of unforgettable performances by talented musicians that will have you grooving all night long.
Experience the magic of live jazz , where the music comes alive and the vibes are always right. Whether you're a jazz aficionado or just looking for a fun night out, this series is not to be missed.
Mark your calendars and gather your friends for a musical journey like no other. Let the smooth sounds of jazz transport you to a place where the music is king and the good times never end. See you there!
The Betsy Hotel’s 2024 Community Partners for the Overture to Overtown Jazz Series
Project co-producer Carole Ann Taylor, The Betsy Community Fund @ The Miami Foundation, PG Family Foundation, The Betsy Writers Room, LT Steak and Seafood, WDNA Jazz Radio, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Ocean Drive Association, City of Miami Beach, Miami Beach Classical Music Festival, Iris Photo Collective, FIU Miami Beach Urban Studios, Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab and the Jorge M. Perez Family Foundation CreARTE program.