HERE’S TO SHIRLEY!

Tammy L. Hall began her musical journey in Dallas, playing piano and organ at church as early as age 7, raised by her grandparents and inspired by a family rich in musical influence. She relocated to California in 1979, attended Mills College, and later honed her improvisational skills during a two-year stint in Brussels, performing at prestigious festivals alongside saxophonist Noah Howard.

Since the late 1980s, Hall has become a central figure in the Bay Area jazz scene—accompanying legends like Etta Jones, Kim Nalley, Linda Tillery, and many others—while also leading her own ensembles and teaching at institutions like SFJAZZ, Stanford Jazz Workshop, and more.

Her discography includes albums like Blue Soul (2012) and Heart Flow (recent), exhibiting deep improvisational expression and heartfelt beauty. She describes her artistic goal as delivering what she calls the “Royal Blue” sound—a sense of profound, immersive beauty.

Tammy Hall presents this tribute concert the the late and great Shirley Horn. Shirley Horn (1934 – 2005) was an extraordinary American jazz singer and pianist, revered for her intimate, unhurried style and the deep emotional honesty she brought to every performance. Known for her achingly slow tempos and nuanced phrasing, she could make a ballad feel like a whispered confession. Her restrained touch at the piano perfectly framed her smoky, tender vocals.