Pamela Hart is the voice many regard as “Austin’s [Texas] First Lady of Jazz” as expressed by Austin Woman Magazine. She is a beautiful woman who steals the heart of any Jazz aficionado–no not just Jazz, but music, period. Her perfectly phrased renditions of classic Jazz standards, contemporary music and compositions composed just for her, win immediate acceptance by any audience as she consistently gives a stunning performance.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Pamela moved to Austin, Texas in 1982. Audiences rave about Pamela’s excellent pitch, clarity and soothing vocal quality. “Her warm, clear tones and meticulously controlled pitch carry an illusion of effortlessness”–Tribeza Magazine.
In addition to regular appearances at Austin clubs, restaurants, live music broadcasts, weddings, banquets/parties and festivals, Pamela and her husband Kevin Hart have produced (and she has performed in) the semi-annual Women in Jazz Concert Series—the greatest events for female jazz musicians in Texas—1994 through 2011. The series also includes a Vocal Performance Workshop where Pamela and other professional vocalists and musicians share performance techniques, communicating with musicians and many other aspects of jazz singing.
Throughout her singing career, Pamela has repeatedly opened shows for, and shared stages with, many popular artists including Miss Nancy Wilson (2000, 2001), David ‘Fathead’ Newman (1997, 2008), Dianne Reeves (1999, 2001), Kirk Whalum (1998), Rachelle Ferrell (2005), Patrice Rushen and Terri Lyn Carrington (2007), Joyce Cooling, Pamela Williams, and Althea Rene (2009).
In addition to regular appearances in local venues, live music broadcasts, weddings, and banquets, Pamela and her husband Kevin Hart have produced (and she performed in) the annual Women in Jazz Concert Series in Austin, 1994-2010.
- On a performance tour July 5th through July 9th, 2010, in the New Orleans French Quarters at Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse, Snug Harbor, and Sweet Lorraine’s jazz venues, Pamela set Bourbon Street afire with pianist Fredrick Sanders featruing renown jazz drummer Herlin Riley, bassist Richard Moten, along with bassist Roland Guerin, and drummer John Jones.
- August 15, 2010, Pamela performed with Karan Chvis and Willie Nicholson in “It’s Ella: A Tribute to Ella Fitzgareld” at the One World Theatre in Austin, TX, with the William Menefiled Band.
- June 13, 2010, Pamela performed in “Lady Day: A Tribute to Billie Holiday” at the One World Theatre in Austin, TX, with the James Polk Sextet.
- June 2009, Pamela performed in the “Sax, Strings, & Scats Concert”, which also featured Joyce Cooling, Pamela Williams, and Althea Rene.
- June 2008, Pamela was featured in A Tribute to Damita Jo DeBlanc, a crowd-pleasing performance.
- May 2004, Pamela performed in another solo concert The Great American Songbook.
- May 2003 the Women in Jazz concert consisted of a solo performance by Pamela Hart of Blue Gardenia: A Tribute to Billie Holiday. In addition to singing an outstanding tribute to Billie Holiday, Pamela had them on their feet again in Encore Performances in September 2003.
- November 2008, Pamela opened the Jazz at St James’ Concert Series for David ‘Fathead’ Newman, and had the audience raving after her performance, including a standing ovation after she sang “Angelitos Negros” in Spanish.
- July 2001, Pamela completed a European jazz festival tour, including the Montreaux, Vienne, and Juan des Pins Jazz festivals, with the Texas State University Jazz Band, directed by the legendary Dr. James Polk.
Pamela became a usual IAJE attendee and performer with the African American Jazz Caucus Band in New York City, Long Beach, CA, and Toronto, Canada. Earlier in her career, Pamela completed European jazz festival tours including the Montreaux, Vienne, and Juan des Pins Jazz festivals, with the Texas State University Jazz Band, directed by the legendary Dr. James Polk.
With her performances, the Women in Jazz Concerts and Vocal Performance Workshops, Pamela is making a difference in the jazz scene in Austin. Her debut CD, “May I Come In?” released under the HartBeat Productions label was reviewed in the June 1999 JAZZIZ Magazine. In addition, Ever Blue, a track from the CD is included on the JAZZIZ June 1999 CD and “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?” on the July 2000 CD. She is currently recording her next CD project to be released soon.
Pamela Hart is a beautiful woman who steals the heart of any jazz aficionado. Be prepared to shout “encore!” You can learn more about Pamela by visiting her web sites at http://www.pamelahart.com, http://www.myspace.com/pamelahart, and www.YouTube.com/hartbeat07, http://www.facebook.com – search Pamela Hart
Traditional Jazz Instrumentation
- Pamela Hart – Lead Vocals
- James Polk – Piano
- Aaron Allen – Upright Bass
- Kevin Scott – Drums
- Mike Malone – Saxophone
- Tommy Howard – Guitar
Smooth Jazz & R&B Instrumentation
- Pamela Hart – Lead Vocals
- William Menefield – Piano/Keys
- Nick Lewis – Electirc Bass
- Kevin Scott – Drums
- Mike Malone – Saxophone
- Glenn Rexach – Guitar
Discography
“May I Come In?” HartBeat – 1998 – (full CD)
“Pamela Hart In-Context” – PBS TV 2009 DVD
“Pamela Hart Live on Smooth” – ME TV 2008 DVD
“Pamela Hart Live – Great American Songbook 2004 HartBeat/AMN
“Merry Christmas” – 4-song Demo – HartBeat 2005
“The Sweetest Sound” 4-Song Demo- HartBeat 2004
“Women in Jazz” – Compilation CD – Jazziz 2000
“I’ll Be Home For Kwanzaa – Complilation CD (Bagel Label) 1997
“Songs from the Hart” – 4-song Demo – (Hartbeat) 1993
Links
- pamelahart.com
- youtube.com/hartbeat07
- sonicbids.com/pamelahart
- cdbaby.com/pamelahart
- myspace.com/pamelahart
Pamela Hart is a very talented woman who steals the heart of any jazz aficionado.
For more information, visit Pamela’s website at http://www.PamelaHart.com.