9-28-2024 (Ballroom)

Michigan native Claudia Schmidt has been perfecting her craft of writing and performing for 50 years. It is a quirky and wonderful hodge-podge (her word) of music, poetry, story, theater, all invoking the whole gamut of emotions and leaving the listener refreshed and thoughtful. Using her incredible multi-octave voice, 12 string guitar and mountain dulcimer, and a deep love of performing, every concert is a true celebration of the moment. Work in clubs, theaters, festivals, TV and radio has continually added depth and dimension, so whether it is her own work or very personal versions of the work of others, what you get is a unique look at the world from someone who says what she sees with clarity, humor, and wonder. The San Francisco Bay Guardian said: “Schmidt’s shows are a lot like falling in love. You never know what’s going to happen next, chances are it’s going to be wonderful, every moment is burned into your memory, and you know you’ll never be the same again.”
She released her 22nd recording in autumn of 2022, called Reimagining, and continues writing toward a new project. She is at her peak in terms of performance, and is so happy to be doing live concerts again, and shows no sign of slowing down or stopping. She describes the stage as ‘her natural habitat’ and thrives there. So, in turn, do her listeners.

Jane Miller is a composer, arranger, guitarist, and author. Her most recent group recording, “Boats,” is her 5th album and features 14 of her instrumental compositions. Also an accomplished pianist, Jane produces music for media content creators in her studio, combining live guitar and piano tracks with virtual orchestral instruments. Her second book, Triads For The Improvising Guitarist, (Berklee Press/Hal Leonard) was released in October 2020, following her Introduction To Jazz Guitar (Berklee Press/Hal Leonard, 2015), a book for guitarists of all styles. 
As a performer, Jane has appeared solo and in duo and group settings around the United States. She is a featured guitarist in noted jazz journalist Scott Yanow’s 2013 book The Great Jazz Guitarists: A Complete Guide.

Claudia and Jane met by chance last summer at the Bull Run in Shirley Ma. Claudia was doing a folk concert upstairs and Jane was playing instrumental jazz guitar in the lounge downstairs. They literally passed in the hallway, started talking, and Claudia (who loves singing jazz as well as folk!) ran downstairs to sit in for a song before her show. Thus was chemistry activated. They have been getting together to build a repertoire incorporating standards, blues, some originals as well as a little spoken word here and there. Come and hear this fresh and delightful collaboration!