Samirah Evans
During her career as a performer and recording artist, Samirah Evans has become known for her dynamic and soulful approach to music, especially jazz and blues. Her musical style is heavily influenced by the sounds of New Orleans, where she was one of the most in-demand singers for nearly twenty years, including fifteen consecutive appearances at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Samirah has performed at notable clubs throughout the Crescent City, including Tipitina’s, Snug Harbor and the House of Blues. In New Orleans and on tours through the Americas, Europe and Asia she has shared stages with James Brown, B.B. King, Dr. John, Aaron and Charles Neville, Michael Ray & the Cosmic Krew, Sheila Jordan, Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison Jr., Michael Franks, Poncho Sanchez, Katie Webster, Bob Dorough, Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Trombone Shorty, Duke Robillard, Levon Helm, Jaimoe, and Sam Kininger. In addition to appearing as a guest artist on numerous recordings, Samirah has made three CDs as a leader. As an educator, she participated in the Blues Schoolhouse sponsored by the House of Blues Foundation, and hosted a show for the N.O. Jazz & Heritage Foundation radio station, WWOZ.
Hurricane Katrina caused Samirah to relocate to her husband’s hometown of Brattleboro, Vermont. She has since been performing in venues and festivals throughout the northeast. As a producer and educator, Samirah founded the “Ladies in Jazz” series to highlight collaborations between female singers and musicians, and the “Sam’s Sunday Set and Shed” musical mentoring program to spotlight artist-protege relationships in the region. Samirah is currently Artist Associate in Jazz Voice at Williams College.