Dear, Ms. Dearie, the music of Blossom Dearie
Dear, Ms. Dearie is a project shaped by time, listening, and deep affection for the music of Blossom Dearie. Pianist and vocalist Dawn Clement has assembled an exceptional quartet featuring jazz legends John Clayton on bass and Jeff Hamilton on drums, alongside guitarist Steve Kovalcheck, to honor Dearie's understated brilliance—her swing, humor, and quiet authority at the piano.
This performance celebrates the April 2026 release of their tribute album, produced by drummer Matt Wilson and arranged specifically for this group of musicians. In contrast to Clement's more exploratory work, this project turns toward the song itself—intimate, grounded, and quietly swinging. The ensemble brings together artists whose "sound, feel, and generosity define what it means to play this music at the highest level," with Kovalcheck's warmth and clarity adding a lyrical voice to the band.
Clement is a joyful and formidable force in modern creative music who bridges lyricism and invention with ease. DownBeat writes, "The revelation is Dawn Clement's piano, always ready with the lyricism or structure the moment needs." Her stage presence radiates pure, sunny positivity—performing with broad smiles, expressive body language, and an overt elation in music making that lifts both her bandmates and the audience. She has a rare quality among jazz pianists of sounding completely original, with spacious improvisations that breathe naturally.
Clayton is a Grammy-winning bassist, composer, and arranger who co-founded the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and has worked extensively with Diana Krall, Whitney Houston, and Paul McCartney. Hamilton, his longtime collaborator, is best known as co-leader of their big band and former member of the L.A. Four, having performed with Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, and Ella Fitzgerald. Kovalcheck brings a distinctive voice rooted in blues, rock, and country from his Nashville upbringing.
The project serves as both tribute and conversation—with Blossom Dearie, with the jazz tradition, and with the artists who continue to carry it forward.