Jessica Lee is a professional Jazz & Blues vocalist, songwriter and recording artist with select songs from her solo albums currently showcased by EQ Music record label on multiple international vocal albums with other artists, such as Norah Jones and Amy London, including on the “When Blues Meets Jazz” and the “Greatest Audiophile Voices” CD series.  Ms. Lee performs at Jazz & Blues clubs, festivals, major charitable events, universities and theaters throughout the country, and has produced and performed shows from Jazz Duo & Combo performances, to Big Band and Jazz-with-Symphony Orchestra performances.

Mark Strickland is an American guitarist influenced by Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Joe Pass and Jazz and R&B legends.  Mark began playing in Pittsburgh, PA, mentored by the regional R&B and Jazz greats such as Luther Dejarunett, Pete Henderson, J. Spencer Bey and the many others who performed in the renowned Jazz clubs of the region, including the Crawford Grill, the Hurricane, the Loendi and the Roosevelt Theatre.

Together, Jessica and Mark have played and recorded for years as a Jazz Duo both regionally and nationally.  They will perform a special show – “The Return of the Pint-Sized Songstress” – to remember and honor the musical contributions of Pittsburgh-born Jazz singer Maxine Sullivan and those she influenced, including Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan.  The debut of the show will be performed at City of Asylum’s Alphabet City on February 7, 2018!

This event is presented as part of the Northside Leadership Conference’s Northside Mardi Gras celebration.