Joyce Spencer & The Ladies of Jazz

Women in Jazz Association, Inc. presents Joyce Spencer & The Ladies of Jazz with Guest Vocalist Pamela Hart, plus The Yansa Samada Band on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 7:00 pm, at Sterling Stage Austin, 6134 E Hwy 290, Austin, TX.  Get ready for upbeat swing, sultry smooth jazz or ballads as Joyce Spencer provides sensational musical entertainment on saxophone (soprano, alto, and tenor), flute and vocals that caters to Austin fans. Add to that, Yansa Samada’s elements of her Cuban roots mixed with the improvisational essence of jazz on flute, saxophone, and vocals, and Pamela Hart’s silky and sassy renditions of traditional and smooth jazz vocals. It's bound to be a night filled with sensational performances and great music! 

This project is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

About the Artists

Joyce Spencer

Joyce Spencer is an award-winning saxophonist, flutist, and vocalist from Dallas, Texas, who covers the gamut of musical influence, style, and genre from traditional to contemporary jazz and classical to R&B, funk, fusion, blues, pop, and Gospel/Christian.  The mixing and blending of musical styles in her upbringing are definitely her forte and an asset to writing music and entertainment.  Whether it's upbeat music, sultry smooth jazz, or ballads, Joyce provides sensational musical entertainment on saxophone (soprano, alto, and tenor), flute, and vocals that cater to the fans or venue.  

Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in instrumental music education where she also studied saxophone and flute, classical and jazz, theater, and radio and TV broadcasting.  After a 20-year career in corporate America, Joyce returned to music with sheer determination as an independent artist. She single-handedly composed and produced her first album, "Sweet Dreams", and has since released several more projects including "Many Colors", "It's Christmas Time, and other single releases like "Solace", "Cherish", and "Sax-O-Phunk."

 She has graced the stage of many music festivals, concerts, church, and corporate events in the United States as a lead artist and with other artists/bands like Yarbrough & Peoples and Jazz in Pink, but radio stations are playing her music all over the world.   She has been honored with awards and special recognition such as the GHP Radio Music Award Best Groove Sax, NAACP Music Award (Garland, TX), Black Women in Jazz Saxophonist of the Year, Sound Fusion Radio Song of the Week, Sassy Radio Top 20, Radio Indie Alliance Top 10, SmoothJazz.com top 30, Grammy consideration on a collaboration with David McLorren, WSRN-DB Jazz Oasis Top 10 and Number one, Radio Indie Alliance Top 10, The Radio Indie International Network Top 10 chart, and Radio Indie International Network Artist of the Week. Joyce also received several special features in other media magazine/news formats like Coffee Talk Jazz (front cover), Basile Weekly, Trinity River Blues Society, The Debbie Burke Jazz Blog, Woodshed Jazz Magazine, and Amazing Smooth and Jazz Radio.  

Other notable awards and nominations are Coffee Talk Jazz Radio "Heart & Soul Instrumental"  Award, ASCAPLUS Awards Panel Recognition, and the Akedemia Award for best funk song (Many Colors).  In other categories, she was also nominated for the South Florida Gospel Music Awards, Best Female Jazz Flutist, and Best Producer/Arranger/Composer by Black Women in Jazz and Fine Arts.  Recently, Joyce was also honored to make the front cover of the prestigious "Coffee Talk Magazine", and her hometown newspaper, Basile Weekly.  

When Joyce is not performing or writing/composing music, she is hard at work recording her next project and  collaborating with other independent artists.

Yansa Samada

Yansa Samada Valdés Cuban heritage plays a pivotal role in shaping her unique approach to jazz music. By weaving elements of her Cuban roots with the improvisational essence of jazz, Yansa crafts a dynamic and resonant musical tapestry that enchants audiences with its melding of cultural influences and invigorating spirit.

Trained as a classical flutist and vocalist, Yansa draws inspiration from the rhythmic traditions, melodic patterns, and emotional nuances of Cuban music. Yansa's ability to seamlessly blend the vibrant textures of Cuban music with the improvisational nature of jazz not only underscores her cultural heritage but also highlights her versatility as a musician. By harmonizing these two musical landscapes, she pushes the boundaries of jazz music, incorporating a rich and diverse array of sounds that reflect her eclectic musical upbringing and international experiences.

Having performed in Russia at a young age, Yansa continued to cultivate her craft through musical residencies in Cairo, Egypt, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. These global influences have enriched her music, adding layers of depth and dimension to her already diverse repertoire.  Through her exploration of the intersections between Cuban and jazz music, Yansa initiates a musical dialogue that pays homage to the shared histories, influences, and innovations of these dynamic genres. 

Pamela Hart

Pamela Hart is regarded as one of Austin, Texas’ finest vocalist.  She is noted by Austin Women’s Magazine as “Austin’s First Lady of Jazz.” Pamela is keen on keeping jazz vocal music alive. In 1993, Pamela and Kevin Hart founded the Women in Jazz Association, Inc. whose mission is to keep jazz alive.  The organization has been growing ever since providing concerts, vocal workshops, and youth programs geared towards jazz education and performance. With her performances, the Women in Jazz Association, Inc., vocal performance workshops, and vocal coaching, Pamela is making a difference in the Austin jazz scene.  Pamela Hart was inducted in the Austin Jazz Society Hall of Fame in 2018.  She was awarded Best Jazz Performer in the 2023 Black Music Awards – Houston.  Pamela’s appreciation for the great masters of jazz is apparent in her intonation, grace and style.  She performs locally, regionally, and nationally for Concerts, Festivals, Weddings, Corporate Events, Banquets, & Night Clubs. She has also performed in Europe with the James Polk Texas State Jazz Band.  She has repeatedly opened shows for, and shared stages with, many popular artists including Miss Nancy Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Nat Adderley, Jr., Kirk Whalum, Rachelle Ferrell, Norman Brown & Richard Elliot.  Her passion for jazz extends to jazz education programs for youth and young female singers. Pamela’s latest CD album released on May 2021 titled “Happy Talk” is available on various online stores and pamelahart.com.  For more information, music, videos, photos and performance schedule, visit pamelahart.com.