Dear Ms. Dearie - the music of Blossom Dearie

Pianist and vocalist Dawn Clement brings her tribute to jazz legend Blossom Dearie to Black Cat, celebrating the understated brilliance and quiet authority of one of jazz's most distinctive voices. This performance showcases Clement's forthcoming album Dear, Ms. Dearie, set for release in April 2026.

Clement, described by DownBeat as having a piano "always ready with the lyricism or structure the moment needs," leads a stellar quartet featuring some of jazz's most respected musicians. Bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton—artists whose "sound, feel, and generosity define what it means to play this music at the highest level"—anchor the rhythm section, while guitarist Steve Kovalcheck adds warmth and clarity with his lyrical voice.

The music honors Dearie's songbook while allowing it to breathe in the present moment. Known for her swing, humor, and elegant piano work, Dearie's repertoire gets a fresh interpretation that remains "intimate, grounded, and quietly swinging." This project represents a departure from Clement's more exploratory work, turning toward the songs themselves with care and intention.

Clement brings impressive credentials to this tribute, having collaborated with Jane Ira Bloom, Ron Miles, René Marie, and Ingrid Jensen, and appearing on säje's GRAMMY-nominated debut. Her recent release Delight (Origin Records, 2025) featured Buster Williams and Matt Wilson in what she calls a "legacy trio"—an intimate reflection on connection and musical lineage that informs this Dearie project.

As Associate Professor and Area Coordinator of Jazz and American Improvised Music at Metropolitan State University of Denver and Artistic Director of the Centrum Jazz Workshop, Clement bridges academic rigor with performance excellence. Producer Matt Wilson shaped the arrangements specifically for this group of musicians, creating what Clement describes as "both a tribute and a conversation: with Blossom Dearie, with the tradition, and with the artists who continue to carry it forward."

Expect an evening of sophisticated jazz that honors the past while speaking to the present, delivered by musicians who understand both the technical demands and emotional heart of this timeless music.