Women in Jazz presents Ladies of Smooth Jazz featuring Althea Rene, Paul Atherton and Gail Jhonson with Jazz in Pink & Pamela Hart, Saturday, September 25, 7PM (doors 6:30 pm) at the Renaissance Austin Hotel Ballroom, 9721 Arboretum Blvd, Austin, TX   The Ladies of Smooth Jazz concert features the First Lady of Smooth Jazz, Keyboardist Gail Jhonson, the “Flawsome” Flautist Althea Rene and smooth jazz Saxophonist Paula Atherton.  These talented musicians will captivate you collectively and individually.  Each dynamic performer delivers a mixed genre of jazz, soul, R&B, and funk.  Presented by Women in Jazz Association, Inc., these ladies are going to tell the whole story and take you on a fantastic musical journey.  The all-star supporting band is Jazz in Pink with a special guest appearance by vocalist Pamela Hart.   The Women in Jazz Association, Inc. is adhering to the Austin-Travis County COVID-19 Safety Guide for Venues & Special Events.   This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department, a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Reserved Tickets: VIP - $70 plus fees; $50 Standard Seating Tickets available online at http://womeninjazz.org/events/ or call 800-595-4TIX(4849)   More Information: womeninjazz.org or 512-258-6947   About the Performers   Flautist and band leader Althea Rene is a dynamic, soulful performer with a bent toward contemporary jazz, funk, and instrumental R&B. A native of Detroit and daughter of trumpeter, saxophonist, and longtime original Funk Brother Dezie McCullers, Rene grew up in a musical family. Encouraged to study music from a young age, she eventually enrolled in a classical music program at Howard University in Washington, D.C. However, while at Howard she discovered her love of jazz, and eventually returned to Detroit. Along with her albums, she has made numerous festival appearances, including dates at the North Sea Jazz Festival, Austin Jazz Festival, Norman Brown All-Star Jazz Cruise, and others. In 2013, she signed with the Trippin 'n' Rhythm label for the Michael Broening-produced In the Flow. Buoyed by the singles "Sunday Cruise" and "Free," it peaked at number one on the Billboard smooth jazz chart. Two years later she delivered the concert album Live in Detroit, showcasing a well-received performance at the Detroit Public Library. In 2018, she published the book Becoming Chocolate Barbie: A Guide for Professional Women in the Music Business. In 2019, Althea issues her eighth studio album “Flawsome” indicative of the performance we will hear!   Saxophonist Paula Atherton has enjoyed a long and varied career in contemporary and mainstream jazz. Her acumen on her instruments are poised and adept. Her full-length album Can You Feel It has already begun to garner real accolade with her single also titled “Can You Feel It,” landing a #1 hit, three weeks in a row on Billboard. What is even more cementing about this accolade is she also landed #1 slots on Mediabase and #1 on the Smooth Jazz Network. Each track is produced by various producers including, Bill Heller, best known as the legendary keyboardist for the Ripppingtons. Longtime collaborator guitarist Lou Gimenez who has co-written several of Paula’s tunes historically. Other co-writing and production credits include keyboardist Greg Manning, multi-instrumentalist Matt Godina, including multi-instrumentalist Nathan Mitchell, Paul Brown, and the notable Schuyler Deale known for his work with Billy Joel, Michael Bolton, Jeff Lorber, and more. So what does this all-star line-up of producers and contributors add up to for Atherton? Simply put, a canvas to which Atherton can shine her abilities in the highest preeminent way on her latest album Can You Feel It.   “The First Lady of Smooth Jazz is a distinction that Gail Denise Jhonson has worked a lifetime to achieve.”  Gail Jhonson brings all of her many talents to bear as soul-lifting spiritualist, next-gen feminist, big-picture band leader, and Philly street-corner rhythmist.  She builds on a foundation of straight-ahead jazz, R&B, Funk and Gospel. Gail’s impressive resume as a recording artist and touring musician includes appearances with such notables as Norman Brown, Mindi Abair, Bobby Womack, Ray Parker Jr., Pink, Milli Vanilli, Morris Day (Time) & Rain Pryor. TV appearances on The Jay Leno Show, BET, several videos, Gospel Theatre, Jazz Festivals with Cindy Bradley, Peabo Bryson, Jeff Lorber, Patti Austin, Marion Meadows and so many others!  Gail leads the all-female ensemble “Jazz in P!nk”, featuring such artists as Karen Briggs, Althea Rene and Mariea Antoinette. She has her own band “3 Piece Suit” in Los Angeles. She is an educator and author of 3 music method books; also composer for the musical Overcome, Overjoyed-showing at The El Portal Theatre/North Hollywood.   Jazz In Pink is the world-renowned, all-female, all Star band based in Los Angeles, CA. In just six years, Jazz In Pink has emerged as one of the world's most prominent and popular all-female, ensembles. They enjoy a growing social media presence on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks. Jazz In Pink delivers a mixed genre which is primarily Jazz with soul, R&B, symphonic, rock and hip-hop undertones. The band's core members are Gail Jhonson, Althea René, Maria Antoinette, and Karen Briggs. Since 2008, Jazz In Pink has not only performed throughout the country and around the world, but has worked to fill learning, social, and cultural gaps through community outreaches and events. The talented band consistently captivates audiences. Collectively and individually, members have performed along with Alex Bugnon; Norman Brown; Eric Bent; Bobby Womack; Sheila E; Peabo Bryson; David Benoit; Kirk Franklin; Donnie McClurkin; Yolanda Adams; The Virginia Symphony; Jonathan Butler; George Duke; Stanley Clarke; Wu Tang Clan; Everett Harp; Brenda Russell; Patti Austin; The Time and Yanni.Their CD, 1st Collection, was released in 2014. It features Gail Jhonson, Karen Briggs, Althea Rene, Robin Bramlett, Cindy Bradley and many other talented, eclectic musicians.