Lift Every Voice for Dr. King: A Singer Showcase
Auditions

Lift Every Voice for Dr. King: A Singer Showcase is a series of free-to-the-public music concerts presented at the Joe Henderson Lab, SFJAZZ January 17 - 19, 2025. The concerts will feature classic compositions that celebrate and reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the African American civil rights movement. The program, timed to honor the MLK, Jr. Bank Holiday on Monday January 20, will be directed by Dr. Dee Spencer of San Francisco State University and feature some of the Bay Area's leading vocalists. Each evening will feature the Dee Spencer Trio, a headline guest artist and four community singers. Members of the public wishing to participate in the concerts as vocalists, please read the following regarding auditions.

Audition Process

The auditions are open to non-professional participants of all ages. Prior vocal training is not required.

Those auditioning will be asked to sing three memorized songs of their choice that are representative of pivotal genres of Black American music (for example, Spirituals, Jazz, Gospel, Blues, R&B, Funk and Soul). Given the theme of the showcase, it is preferable that at least one of the songs relate to MLK’s legacy or the civil rights movement.

Auditions will take place live in-person (21 years or over only) OR online (all ages) and can include prerecorded videos uploaded to the YouTube or Vimeo platforms.

For more information on auditions, to schedule an on-line audition or to submit links to a prerecorded video, send an email to Dr. Spencer at [email protected]

Live auditions will take place on a walk-in basis at:
Dee's Keys
BEAUX SF
2344 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
Thursdays 4:00pm - 8:00pm,  September 5, 12, 19, 26. October 3, 10, 17, 24.

DOWNLOAD & SHARE: If you have a place to post a flyer and share information with your students or community about the auditions, please download a copy HERE.

AUDITION VIDEO SUBMISSION DEADLINE: FRIDAY NOVEMBER 1
Send to [email protected]

Rehearsals & Coaching

NOTE: All showcase participants are required to attend rehearsals/workshops at SFSU on the following dates: 

Wednesday November 13, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Wednesday November 20, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Monday January 13, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Tuesday January 14, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Performances
All participants must perform at three shows with the live trio at the SFJAZZ Center, Joe Henderson Lab, 201 Franklin Street, SF, CA on the following dates and times:

Friday January 17, 7:00pm
Saturday January 18, 7:00pm
Sunday January 19, 7:00pm

Sound check and call times for the shows will be announced.

All shows are free, ticketed, and open to the public.

For questions about the audition process, send an email to [email protected]. For non-audition related questions, send an email to [email protected] or call the San Francisco International Arts Festival office at 415-399-9554.

Artist Biographies

Dee Spencer
Dee Spencer is a Professor of Jazz and Musical Theatre in the School of Theatre & Dance at San Francisco State University (SFSU). Dee received her B.S. from Florida A&M; M.M. at Washington University in St. Louis; and EdD, University of San Francisco.  Dee founded the Jazz Studies degree program in the School of Music at SFSU and served as director for five years. Dee founded the San Francisco Jazz Organization (SFJAZZ) education program. Her former students include recording artists/producers, Braxton Brothers, Beyonce’s music director, saxophonist Tia Fuller, and Lauren Hill’s music director, saxophonist Howard Wiley.

Clairdee (Guest Artist)
Celebrated for her sophisticated and heartfelt interpretations, vocalist Clairdee brings a unique blend of elegance and warmth to the stage. Rooted in the rich tradition of jazz, she draws inspiration from iconic figures such as Sarah Vaughan, and Carmen McRae, yet her style remains distinctly her own. Her career highlights include collaborations with renowned musicians like Dick Hyman, Houston Person, Nancy Wilson, Russell Malone, and Ken Peplowski, and performances at prestigious venues such as Dizzy's in New York City and the Monterey Jazz Festival. Clairdee's voice is characterized by its velvety timbre and dynamic range, allowing her to convey a wide spectrum of emotions with grace and authenticity. Beyond her captivating performances, she is also a dedicated educator, passionate about preserving the legacy of jazz and mentoring the next generation of musicians. JazzTimes reported a Clairdee performance as, "A whole lot of interpretive brilliance." 

Michelle Jacques (Guest Artist)
Michelle Jacques is the Artistic Director/founder of the CHELLE! and Friends New Orleans Band and CHELLE’S JUKE JOINT Acappella Ensemble, a member of the Governor's Board of The Recording Academy, San Francisco chapter, and director of the Select Vocal Ensemble and Middle School Solo at Oakland School for the Arts. Michelle has toured throughout the United States and Europe performing alongside many well known artists including: Manhattan Transfer, Wynton Marsalis, Linda Hopkins, Ladysmith Black Mambaza, Pete Seger, Al Greene, and The Persuasions.

Renee Lubin (Guest Artist)
Renée delighted audiences at Beach Blanket Babylon for over 33 years. Beach Blanket Babylon was the world’s longest running musical review spanning a 45 year run. Renée herself was the longest running performer in a musical review. The SF Chronicle called Renée San Francisco’s “resident diva” and a “local treasure”. A native San Franciscan who studied Environmental Biology at San Jose State University, Renée previously directed the SFSU Jazz Choir as Vocal Jazz Coach. Renée provides private vocal and audition coaching with Dr. Dee Spencer and is honored to have worked with X-Factor semi-finalist Jason Brock.

Members of the Dee Spencer Trio

Jewell McMillon (Bass)
Jewell is a bassist, music artist and mathematician from the Bay Area who has been a member of the musician and artist community in the Bay for the last five years. She is heavily influenced by all styles of Black American Music and her peers in the community. She’s recently had the pleasure of being a member of bands that played at the 2023 Black Joy Parade, The Chapel, and California Academy of Sciences and is excited about continuing to share community and music with the Bay Area and beyond.

Jayla Hernandez (Drums)
Jayla is a drummer, student and jazz enthusiast, who embodies the sound of West Oakland soul infused with the energy of young artists just like herself. Jayla Graduated from Oakland School from the Arts in 2020 and is currently pursuing her BM in Jazz Studies at San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Jayla has had the pleasure of working with various artist through the years and plans to continue that journey while playing and exploring the world of Black Music.

Funders

The Lift Every Voice for Dr. King: A Singer Showcase is presented with the support of the San Francisco Arts Commission’s Dream Keeper Initiative grant program.