Great Ladies of Jazz Brings the Timeless Power of America’s Most Influential Voices to Princeton Festival

There are certain voices that never fade. Long after the recordings stop spinning and the original performances become part of history, their influence continues to echo through concert halls, theaters, jazz clubs, and generations of artists who follow in their footsteps. The story of American music cannot be told without acknowledging the extraordinary women whose artistry helped define jazz, popular music, Broadway, and the Great American Songbook. Their songs became standards. Their performances became benchmarks. Their legacies became permanent.

On June 19, the Princeton Festival will celebrate those enduring contributions with an unforgettable evening titled Great Ladies of Jazz, a spectacular musical tribute featuring acclaimed vocalists Capathia Jenkins and Aisha de Haas alongside the Princeton Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Lucas Waldin. Set against the elegant backdrop of Morven Museum & Garden’s Performance Pavilion, the concert promises to be one of the most anticipated cultural events of the summer season in New Jersey.

More than a concert, Great Ladies of Jazz serves as a celebration of the women whose artistry transformed American music and whose recordings continue to inspire audiences around the world. The program pays homage to iconic performers including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Ginger Rogers, and other legendary figures whose voices shaped the soundtrack of the twentieth century.

The significance of these artists extends far beyond the music industry. They were pioneers, innovators, storytellers, and cultural forces who influenced generations of performers. Their interpretations of timeless songs elevated popular music into an art form capable of expressing profound emotion, personal resilience, joy, heartbreak, and hope. Their recordings remain essential listening not because they are historic artifacts, but because they continue to feel remarkably alive and relevant.

For many listeners, the Great American Songbook represents one of the most extraordinary periods in American musical history. Composers and lyricists created melodies and lyrics that have endured for decades, while vocalists transformed those compositions into deeply personal artistic statements. The songs became standards because each generation found something new within them. They could be intimate or grand, playful or heartbreaking, simple or sophisticated. Their versatility allowed them to evolve while remaining timeless.

The Princeton Festival performance embraces that tradition by bringing these beloved works to life through two of today’s most accomplished vocal interpreters. Capathia Jenkins and Aisha de Haas have each built distinguished careers defined by exceptional vocal ability, commanding stage presence, and an ability to connect with audiences through storytelling and emotion.

Capathia Jenkins has become one of the most respected performers on Broadway and beyond, known for her extraordinary vocal range and magnetic stage presence. Her performances combine technical brilliance with emotional authenticity, allowing audiences to experience familiar songs in fresh and compelling ways. Whether performing Broadway repertoire, jazz standards, orchestral works, or contemporary material, Jenkins brings a remarkable ability to inhabit every lyric and phrase.

Aisha de Haas has similarly established herself as one of the most versatile and captivating vocalists working today. Her career spans theater, concert stages, recording projects, and symphonic collaborations. Known for her rich vocal tone and dynamic interpretive abilities, de Haas possesses the rare gift of honoring classic material while making every performance feel deeply personal and immediate.

Together, the two vocalists create a powerful artistic partnership that perfectly complements the evening’s celebration of jazz and popular music’s most influential female voices. Their performances promise to capture both the elegance and emotional depth that defined the original recordings while bringing their own unique perspectives to these beloved songs.

The musical selections themselves represent some of the most celebrated compositions ever written. Audiences will hear works that have transcended generations and become woven into the fabric of American culture.

Harold Arlen’s exuberant “Get Happy” remains one of the great expressions of optimism and joy in popular music. Its infectious energy and timeless appeal have made it a favorite among performers for decades. Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart’s “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered” offers a masterclass in sophisticated songwriting, blending romance, vulnerability, and wit into one of the most enduring standards ever composed.

George Gershwin’s “‘S Wonderful” continues to embody the elegance and charm of classic American songwriting, while his immortal “Summertime” remains one of the most recorded and interpreted songs in music history. Few compositions possess the emotional depth and universal appeal that have allowed “Summertime” to thrive across genres ranging from opera and jazz to blues and contemporary music.

Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg’s “Over the Rainbow” stands among the most beloved songs ever written, carrying emotional resonance that transcends generations. First introduced to audiences through Judy Garland’s unforgettable performance, the song continues to symbolize hope, possibility, and the enduring power of dreams.

Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s “Satin Doll” showcases the sophistication and swing that helped define the golden age of jazz. The composition remains a favorite among musicians and audiences alike, representing the elegance and innovation that characterized Ellington’s extraordinary body of work.

Yet the concert extends beyond individual songs. It explores the broader cultural impact of the women who transformed these compositions into lasting works of art. Ella Fitzgerald’s unmatched vocal precision and improvisational brilliance redefined what a jazz vocalist could achieve. Sarah Vaughan’s remarkable range and technical mastery expanded the expressive possibilities of popular singing. Billie Holiday’s emotional honesty changed the way audiences connected with music, while Judy Garland’s vulnerability and dramatic power created performances that continue to resonate generations later.

Their collective influence can still be heard throughout contemporary music. Countless singers, songwriters, and performers trace their artistic lineage back to these pioneering women. Modern jazz, pop, theater, and vocal performance all carry traces of the paths they helped create.

The Princeton Symphony Orchestra provides the ideal musical foundation for such a celebration. Known for its artistic excellence and dynamic programming, the orchestra has become one of New Jersey’s premier cultural institutions. Under the direction of Lucas Waldin, audiences can expect lush orchestral arrangements, meticulous musicianship, and performances that honor the sophistication and beauty of the original works while embracing the excitement of live interpretation.

Waldin has earned acclaim for his ability to bridge musical traditions and create engaging experiences for diverse audiences. His approach to programming and performance reflects a deep understanding of both orchestral music and popular repertoire, making him uniquely suited to lead an evening that celebrates the intersection of jazz, Broadway, and American popular song.

The setting at Morven Museum & Garden further elevates the experience. Summer evenings in Princeton possess a unique charm, and the Performance Pavilion offers one of the state’s most inviting concert environments. Surrounded by historic architecture and beautiful gardens, audiences will enjoy a setting that complements the elegance and timelessness of the music itself.

As New Jersey continues to strengthen its reputation as a destination for arts and culture, events like Great Ladies of Jazz highlight the depth and diversity of experiences available throughout the state. The Princeton Festival has consistently demonstrated a commitment to presenting world-class performances that celebrate artistic excellence while remaining accessible to broad audiences.

What makes this particular performance especially meaningful is its ability to connect multiple generations through music. Younger listeners will discover the extraordinary artistry that laid the foundation for modern popular music, while longtime fans will have the opportunity to revisit beloved songs performed by exceptional contemporary artists. It is a celebration of continuity, influence, and the enduring power of great music to transcend time.

The women honored during this evening helped shape American culture through talent, perseverance, and artistic innovation. Their voices provided comfort during difficult times, joy during moments of celebration, and inspiration for countless performers who followed. Their recordings remain vibrant because they speak to universal human experiences that continue to resonate today.

On June 19, Princeton Festival audiences will gather not only to hear extraordinary music, but to celebrate a remarkable legacy. Through the talents of Capathia Jenkins, Aisha de Haas, Lucas Waldin, and the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, these timeless songs will once again come alive beneath the summer sky.

For one unforgettable evening, the voices that helped define American music will be honored in a performance that bridges past and present, tradition and innovation, history and contemporary artistry. It is a fitting tribute to the great ladies of jazz and a reminder that truly great music never grows old—it simply finds new audiences ready to fall in love with it all over again.