You’re invited to an extraordinary jazz performance and storytelling evening, paying homage to the legendary Billie Holiday as the incredible Tahira Clayton takes the stage at the Woody Guthrie Center. This enchanting performance promises to transport the audience back to the golden era of jazz, capturing the essence of Billie Holiday’s music and the details of her life.
This event is part of the “Billie Holiday at Sugar Hill: Photos by Jerry Dantzic” exhibit programming. Don’t miss this unforgettable fusion of music and history at the Woody Guthrie Center.
DETAILS
Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.
Doors: 6:30 p.m.
Woody Guthrie Center Theater
102 Reconciliation Way, Tulsa, OK 74103
TICKETS
$10 general admission
Free for Woody Guthrie Center members
ABOUT TAHIRA CLAYTON
Originally from Dallas, TX and now living in New York City, Tahira Clayton is a world renowned vocalist known for her honest vocal delivery and mesmerizing stage presence. A powerful lyricist and storyteller, Tahira has performed nationally and internationally as a band leader and featured vocalist. In 2022, Tahira headlined IMG Artists “Bessie, Billie, Nina: Pioneering Women in Jazz,” a 3 month national tour, alongside the great Charene Wade, Vanisha Gould and music directed by Carmen Staaf. In October 2022, Tahira fronted the Caili O’Doherty Quintet throughout the counties of Georgia and Canada on an American Music Abroad tour as a cultural diplomatic ambassador for the United States. In January 2023, Tahira joined Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: “Songs We Love,” a national tour, music directed by Riley Mulherkar. In May 2023, Tahira headlined Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: “Sing and Swing” for a residency in Saudi Arabia with trumpeter and vocalist Benny Benack III.
In addition to her performing, Tahira currently serves as the vice president and is a founding board member of the Women in Jazz Organization (WIJO), based in NYC. Tahira is also program director for WIJO’s mentorship program, WIJO Mentors. In addition to her work with WIJO, Tahira has traveled internationally to present lectures on her research entitled, “The Dangers of Jazz: Sexism in Society.” A 2015 graduate of the University of North Texas Tahira has performed and participated in master classes of many of the genre’s greats. Tahira’s debut album of all original compositions, “Wait, Till Now” was a fully crowd-sourced project, funded by fans and peers. “Wait, Till Now” is currently available for purchase and streaming.
Tahira has led groups and performed in prestigious venues such as Dizzy’s Coca Cola Club ( Jazz at Lincoln Center), Sony Music Hall, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, The 55 Bar, Minton’s Playhouse, The Rainbow Room, Cornelia Street Café, the Cell Theater, the Jazz Showcase (Chicago), and in 2021 opened for Alicia Keys in Antibes, France. As well as being an in-demand bandleader and performer, Tahira is a sought after side-woman, lending her voice to numerous original music recording projects, performances, and songwriting collaborations.
Tahira is also a well established creative teaching artist, clinician, and vocal coach.
