This festival of love will feature songs about love or just songs that make the world a brighter place. Expect that old school style of the 60’s through 80’s such as “Becha By Golly Wow,” “What You Won’t Do for Love,” “Happy Feelings,” “I Say A Little Prayer for You,” “As,” and more! With the textures of smooth Pamela Hart, silky Nada Stearns, rhythmic Hartt Stearns and crooning Andre James, you’re in for a journey into that old school kind of love through song! These great performers will be backed by the Hot Sauce ATX band.
Pamela Hart is highly regarded as one of Austin, Texas’ finest vocalist. She is noted by Austin Women’s Magazine as “Austin’s First Lady of Jazz.” Audiences rave about Pamela’s excellent pitch, clarity and soothing vocal quality. “Her warm, clear tones and meticulously controlled pitch carry an illusion of effortlessness”–Tribeza Magazine. Her sultry rendition of classic jazz standards and contemporary music wins immediate acceptance by any audience. In addition to regular appearances at Austin clubs, restaurants, live music broadcasts, weddings, banquets/parties and festivals, Pamela and her husband Kevin Hart produced (and she has performed in) the semi-annual Women in Jazz Concert Series. Pamela is a member of the Texas Touring Roster and was inducted in the Austin Jazz Society Hall of Fame in 2018. In addition to jazz, Pamela also performs smooth jazz, R&B and Gospel. Her CD, May I Come In? is still a top seller. For more information, music, videos, photos and performance schedule, visit www.pamelahart.com
Hartt, the Executive Director of One World, is a graduate of UCLA with a major in psychology. During this time, he took various ethnomusicology courses including studying with Ghanaian master drummer Kobla Ladzepko, as well as Nigerian master drummer Francis Awe. During his study under Mayuto Corea, a Brazilian percussionist master, Hartt learned the importance of finding one’s true self and having the music be an expression of that. Mayuto introduced Hartt to the Argentine band Arco Iris and became their percussionist for the next 14 years. Arco Iris produced multiple gold records and toured internationally with musicians such as Alex Acuna (Weather Report), Chester Thompson (Phil Collins), and Chris Rhyne (Santana). Arco Iris was also part of Music Center on Tour, based out of the Los Angeles Music Center, one of the most extensive multi-cultural arts-in-education outreach programs in the world.
After moving to Austin, Hartt met his future wife, Nada. Together they started a voice and percussion show highlighting different cultures and performing in local schools. They formed One World as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a strong belief that multi-cultural arts programming for children of all ages is critical to their education – encouraging a greater understanding for people and cultures unlike our own – “It doesn’t matter what country you come from, what color your skin is or what your religion you have, we’re all part of One World.”
One World began to sponsor the best Austin artists from diverse cultures to perform in local schools. They also connected top professional artists in Austin with local high school students for culminating televised performances. In July 1999, One World Theatre opened as an extension of the arts-in-education program with a mission to educate and inspire children and adults with innovative and exciting multicultural arts and entertainment programs. One World is now a network partner of Berklee City Music Network, which focuses on helping underserved young musicians with free access to the school’s curriculum, as well as scholarships to Berklee College of Music.
At One World Theatre, Hartt and Nada have shared the stage with the likes of Michael McDonald, Sergio Mendes, Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins, Little Feat, War, Herbie Mann, Ambrosia and Jose Feliciano, among many others.
Andre’ James is a native of Beaumont, Texas and one of Houston’s most diverse & premier male vocalists. He credits his mother, Esther Seastrunk-McClain for being instrumental in embracing his love of music by exposing him, at an early age, to her eclectic collection of music. While attending Texas Southern University, he became a highly sought after session singer & background vocalist, which afforded him opportunities to tour in Japan, South Africa, & many countries. Andre’ has performed, sung background, toured and shared the stage with Grammy & award winning artists such as Regina Belle, Kirk Whalum, Yolanda Adams, Nancy Wilson, Al Jarreau, Chante Moore, Mikki Howard, Syleena Johnson, Howard Hewett, Tony Terry, Marc Anthony, Kyle Turner, Ruben Studdard, Boney James, Reba McIntire, Lyle Lovett, Vesta Williams, Ollie Woodson, Chris Walker and the list goes on. Andre recently was one of the featured artist to perform at the legendary jazz songstress Nancy Wilson’s 80th birthday in Hollywood, Ca. Andre has also served as the Music coordinator, host, & headliner at the Houston’s Red Cat Jazz Cafe popular Soul Sundays for 10 years, and as music coordinator, host M.C. at the legendary Arena Theatre. Andre is stepping out in front from the background with his solo project set to be release the fall of 2019.
