Dear Ms. Dearie - the music of Blossom Dearie

Denver pianist and composer Dawn Clement brings her tribute project Dear, Ms. Dearie to Black Cat, celebrating the understated brilliance of legendary jazz vocalist and pianist Blossom Dearie. Known for her swing, humor, and quiet authority at the piano, Dearie's songbook gets an intimate, contemporary treatment that honors her elegant musical legacy while allowing the songs to breathe in the present.

Clement, praised by DownBeat as having a piano "always ready with the lyricism or structure the moment needs," leads an all-star ensemble perfectly suited to this material. The band features master bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton — artists whose sound and feel define playing this music at the highest level — alongside guitarist Steve Kovalcheck, whose warmth and clarity bring a lyrical voice to the group.

This project represents a shift for Clement, who's known for more exploratory and original work with artists like Jane Ira Bloom, René Marie, and Julian Priester. Here she turns toward the song itself, creating music that's intimate, grounded, and quietly swinging. The arrangements were crafted specifically for this quartet and produced by drummer Matt Wilson.

Expect to hear Dearie's sophisticated songbook delivered with both reverence and fresh perspective. Clement bridges lyricism and invention with ease, while Clayton and Hamilton bring decades of experience playing with jazz's greatest artists. The performance promises to be both tribute and conversation — with Blossom Dearie, with the tradition, and with the artists who continue to carry it forward.

This appearance coincides with the April 2026 release of the Dear, Ms. Dearie album, making this an opportunity to experience the project live as it reaches audiences. Clement, who serves as Associate Professor of Jazz at Metropolitan State University of Denver and Artistic Director of the Centrum Jazz Workshop, remains a vital presence in both Rocky Mountain and Pacific Northwest music communities.