Cancelled | Four Women: Nina, Etta, Abbey, and Betty

Sorry to say Due to weather conditions, MHCC is closed today and all scheduled events at the campus have been cancelled.

Biamp Portland Jazz Festival 
FOUR WOMEN: Nina, Etta, Abbey and Betty
‘JAZZ LECTURE SERIES’ presentation with Ashley Kahn and Melissa Walker
presented by PDX Jazz 

Mt. Hood Community College
in MHCC Band Room (AC2102)

Nina Simone’s renowned song “Four Women” (1966) can be heard as caustic commentary on the limited and belittling roles African American women have been and still are boxed into. This lecture considers that song, and four singers of legend – Miss Simone, as well as Etta James, Abbey Lincoln, and Betty Carter – whose voices and careers succeeded in retaking ownership of their identities by boldly defying racial clichés and musical convention. We will offer a deep dive into one iconic song from each vocal pioneer, as a means to understanding their enduring music and message.

(Melissa Walker is the jazz singer who founded and leads the celebrated JazzHouse Kids program in New Jersey, who developed this presentation with Kahn.)