We are excited to continue our Family Jazz Jam and get all our little movers and shakers into the museum making music with us!  This family concert is perfect for little ones between the ages of 4-7 and their caregivers. This interactive event led by vocalist Tahira Clayton and her band will include singing, dancing, movement all while celebrating the joy of making music together as a community.

• This event is free to the public.
• RSVP is required.
• Very Limited Capacity.
• Adults must be accompanied by a child.
• No adult will be admitted without a child
• This is not a drop-off program – caregivers must stay with their child and actively participate in the program with their child.

About the Artist:

Originally from Dallas, TX and now living in New York City, Tahira Clayton is known for her honest vocal delivery and charismatic stage presence. A strong lyricist and storyteller, Tahira has performed nationally and internationally as a band leader and featured vocalist. In 2022, Tahira headlined IMG Artists “Bessie, Billie, Nina: Pioneering Women in Jazz,” a national tour, alongside Charenee Wade, Vanisha Gould, and music directed by Carmen Staaf. In October 2022, Tahira fronted the Caili O’Doherty Quintet throughout the country of Georgia on an American Music Abroad tour as a cultural diplomatic ambassador  for the United States. In Jan 2023, Tahira intermittently joined Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: “Songs We Love,” a national tour, music directed by Riley Mulherkar.  In May 2023, Tahira joined Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: “Sing and Swing” with trumpeter and vocalist Benny Benack III for a residency in Saudi Arabia.

In addition to her performing, Tahira currently serves as the vice president and is a founding board member of the Women in Jazz Organization (WIJO), based in NYC. Tahira is also program director for WIJO’s mentorship program, WIJO Mentors.  In addition to her work with WIJO, Tahira has traveled internationally to present lectures on her research entitled, “The Dangers of Jazz: Sexism in Society.” A 2015 graduate of the University of North Texas Tahira has performed and participated in master classes of many of the genre’s greats. Tahira’s debut album of all original compositions, “Wait, Till Now” was a fully crowd-sourced project, funded by fans and peers. “Wait, Till Now” is currently available for purchase and streaming.

She has led groups and performed in prestigious venues such as Dizzy’s Coca Cola Club (Jazz at Lincoln Center), Sony Music Hall, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, The 55 Bar, Minton’s Playhouse, The Rainbow Room, Cornelia Street Café, the Cell Theater, the Jazz Showcase (Chicago), and in 2021 opened for Alicia Keys in Antibes, France. As well as being an in-demand bandleader and performer, Tahira is a sought after side-woman, lending her voice to numerous original music recording projects performances, and songwriting collaborations.

Tahira is also a well established creative teaching artist, clinician, and vocal coach. www.tahiraclayton.com