Trumpeter and bandleader Tiny Davis (1909–1994) was one of the most electrifying and resilient figures in jazz. Emerging from the vibrant Kansas City scene of the mid-1930s, she built a formidable reputation before gaining national recognition in 1941 as a featured soloist with the groundbreaking International Sweethearts of Rhythm. The Sweethearts were a pioneering, racially integrated, all-women ensemble that challenged both musical and social conventions of their time.

After departing the group in 1947, Davis formed her own ensemble, the Hell Divers, leading the band for decades and sustaining a powerful performance career.

This concert and presentation, led by bassist Allison Lee,  revisits Davis’s remarkable legacy, illuminating her lasting contributions to jazz and the broader American cultural landscape.

Allison Lee – bass/musical director
Mejedi Owusu – trombone
Maxwell Holmes – piano
Oscar Evely – drums

Dr. Tammy Kernodle is serving as academic consultant for this series.

Allison Lee is a bassist from Vancouver, BC. She has performed at various music festivals, including the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival and MusicFest Canada. When she isn’t performing or practicing, Lee works as a marketing coordinator for Vancouver-based record label Rhea Records (co-founded by Jodi Proznick) and as a graphic designer for performing jazz artists. Lee is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies at the Juilliard School.

This series is made possible, in part, with funding from the Louis Armstrong Education Foundation.