More about what I do:
Served for 8 years (2011-2019) as Chair of Education and Community Engagement for the PDX Jazz Board of Directors. I coordinated and performed in a one-hour long program presented to over 5,000 students at title one and other elementary, middle and high schools starting in February to celebrate Black History Month and in April to celebrate (JAM)Jazz Appreciation Month. I speak about the importance of Jazz and its roots from Africa to a global cultural influence. A go-to emcee for the PDX Jazz Festival, Oregon Coast Jazz Party, Aurora Colony Vineyards Jazz Festival, Astoria Jazz Festival and Illinois Jacquet Foundation in Arizona. As a veteran radio host having served with over eleven years with KMHD 89.1 FM Jazz Radio and currently with KBOO Community Radio 90.7 FM with the program, Jazz Lives. It airs every other Wednesday from noon-2 PM. Both are in Portland, Oregon.
A Board member for the Montavilla Jazz Festival as of 2022. Artistic Director and emcee for Astoria Jazz Festival in Oregon. Curator and emcee for and vocalist in the annual Billie Holiday Tribute, "Lady Sings The Blues" now in its 16th year and presented by Siren Nation, a Portland-based nonprofit whose mission is to inspire and empower women of all ages to create their own art and highlight their many achievements.
I am humbled and proud to be the recipient of the 2018 McClendon/Makarounis Award for Jazz Advocacy presented by the PDX Jazz Festival Board and the 2018 Jazz Hero Award from the Jazz Journalist Association.
