Dear Ms. Dearie - the music of Blossom Dearie

Pianist and vocalist Dawn Clement brings her tribute project Dear, Ms. Dearie to Black Cat, celebrating the understated brilliance of jazz legend Blossom Dearie. This performance showcases music from Clement's forthcoming album (releasing April 2026), a project shaped by deep affection for Dearie's swing, humor, and quiet authority at the piano.

Clement, praised by DownBeat as having piano that's "always ready with the lyricism or structure the moment needs," leads an all-star ensemble featuring bassist John Clayton, drummer Jeff Hamilton, and guitarist Steve Kovalcheck. Clayton and Hamilton are artists "whose sound, feel, and generosity define what it means to play this music at the highest level," while Kovalcheck brings warmth and clarity that adds a lyrical voice to the band.

The project represents a departure from Clement's typically more exploratory work, instead turning toward the song itself—intimate, grounded, and quietly swinging. As described, it honors the elegance of Dearie's songbook while allowing the music to breathe in the present, creating both a tribute and a conversation with the tradition.

Clement brings impressive credentials to this tribute, having performed with Jane Ira Bloom, Ron Miles, René Marie, and Ingrid Jensen, and appearing on säje's GRAMMY-nominated debut album. Her recent release Delight (May 2025, Origin Records) featured a "legacy trio" with Buster Williams and Matt Wilson, demonstrating her commitment to honoring jazz lineage while making it her own.

Expected repertoire draws from Dearie's sophisticated songbook, known for its blend of jazz standards and original compositions delivered with Dearie's characteristic wit and musical intelligence. The arrangements were crafted specifically for this group of musicians, promising an evening where each song receives careful, intentional treatment.

Produced by drummer Matt Wilson, Dear, Ms. Dearie represents both musical homage and contemporary interpretation, bridging past and present through the artistry of four musicians who understand what it means to carry this tradition forward.