MISSION STATEMENT
Who is DivaNation PHILLY?
A true sisterhood of female-identifying Jazz vocalists and musicians, DivaNation PHILLY is a grassroots organization, birthed through the Philadelphia Jazz Project, and fiscally sponsored by CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia.
We are a membership-based organization that seeks funding and projects that support women in the business of music and the arts. Connected to Jazz of the past and looking forward to the future, we call upon the spirit of Philadelphia’s legendary female Jazz singers: Ethel Waters, Trudy Pitts, Nina Simone, and others like Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington & more. We strive towards growth, musical excellence, and success as individual performers and as a collective.
Mission
As a diverse and developing community of Philadelphia's female jazz singers, musicians & more, we are embarking on our seventh year together. Our mission is to build a thriving community of female artists, supporting new talent while building audiences for the Jazz genre. Our mission includes collaborative work with women across a diverse demographic range and with women of all artistic genres to include the Performing, Creative & Fine Arts, singers, musicians, composers, arrangers, producers, dancers, spoken word artists, poets, storytellers, painters, designers, photographers… everyone who embraces the creative spirit!
Our programming includes New Artist Mentorship, Educational Workshops, Performance Events & Collaborative Arts Partnerships.
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Meet the DivaNation PHILLY Divas!

Gretchen Elise is a West Philadelphia- based singer-songwriter whose jazz-flavored, audience participation performances are unforgettable. Her musical passion started in elementary school chorus, and was channeled through work in gymnastic choreography, a World Music Orchestra in Berlin, jazz and Brazilian bands in Boston and her own eponymous band. Her two original CDs, Time & Space (2010) and Are You Ready (2004) combine an international flavor with shades of Philly jazz & soul. An arts ...

Carol Harris is a Philadelphia singer. For over forty-years, she has been a part of the Philly Jazz scene. At 15, she embarked on a professional career as a Jazz singer when her sister, Margaret secretly entered her in a singing contest at the Venus Lounge on Broad Street. Belting out ‘Always’ by Irving Berlin, won her the coveted prize of a two-week paid singing gig. Her reaction to winning was an astonishing, “What are they calling me for?” The first time she sang in New York City was with ...


tarlene's voice pierces the heart and touches your soul. This dynamic singer brings joy to every genre. She enjoys singing Jazz, Blues, Pop & R&B. She entertains you every moment. Her musical roots began at the age of 5 in South Philly. Her Father (Melvin), Godfather (Sam) and Uncle Salome Bey formed the "Brotherhood" and recorded at Phla. International Records. They sang the smooth harmony of the soulful 60's. That's how Starlene found her deep love for music. She was exposed to the...

Maya Belardo, whose love for jazz began as a preteen after listening to Nat King Cole, is now known as the "Princess of Jazz". This 19 year old protégé from Wilmington, DE began singing and composing music on her toy keyboard when she was two years old. Maya attended Cab Calloway School of the Arts as a vocal major and since graduation has moved to New York City to pursue her music career full time. She has been busy performing around the East Coast and has shared the stage or opened for jazz...

Lady T Jones is a Philly native and an emerging artist on the city's music scene. She has trained in Vocal Studies at the Maplewood Music Studio in Germantown and performed during Open Mic at the Philadelphia Clef Club and various local venues. Jazz is the "beat of my heart" Tracey states and she is the newest member of DivaNation PHILLY. She is honored to participate in the continuation of our legacy as a leader in the development and promotion of world class Jazz Vocalists.


Erica Corbo is a professional musician and performance artist native to the Philadelphia area. Implementing her talents mainly on the piano, she also performs as a flutist, vocalist, and dancer. Her work spans the disciplines of jazz, free improv, and original music. Believing in music as a universal language, Erica approaches her playing from a strong melodic standpoint, while leaving room for experimentation with dissonance and atonality. Extensive knowledge of the Alexander ...

LINKS
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The Women's Caucus for Art, Philadelphia Chapter
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DivaNation Philly