Sweet Baby J’ai, the acclaimed vocalist, producer, and cultural storyteller, brings Black history to life this February with Where History Swings, Sings & Testifies — an immersive, soul‑stirring performance honoring Black legacy through music, movement, and narrative. Presented at Spirit Animal Nightclub at Hotel Zoso in downtown Palm Springs, this live celebration blends powerhouse vocals, tap artistry, live musicians, and multimedia elements to illuminate the stories, rhythms, and cultural impact of Black artists who shaped America’s musical landscape.
Audiences will be transported through timeless songs and iconic moments made famous by legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie “Mr. B” Eckstine, Carmen McRae, Gregory Hines, and other groundbreaking Black performers whose artistry continues to influence generations. The evening’s exceptional lineup includes Sweet Baby J’ai; celebrated jazz vocalist Melba Miller; vocalist, musician, and storyteller Rick Taylor; and award‑winning tap dancer Lynne Jassem, whose percussive artistry “testifies” in its own right. Together with a dynamic ensemble of live musicians, they create a performance that moves through jazz‑rooted truths, rhythm‑driven joy, and moments of reflection that echo the resilience and brilliance of Black culture.
“Black history is a living force—alive in our rhythms, our stories, and our courage,” says Sweet Baby J’ai. “This show is a celebration, a remembrance, and a reminder that our creativity continues to set the tempo for everything cool, courageous, and wise.”
Where History Swings, Sings & Testifies takes place Friday, February 20, 2026, from 7–9 pm.
Tickets are on sale now at sunsetmusic.org.
The event supports the Sunset Music & Education Foundation (SMEF), a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to music and arts education across the Coachella Valley. Through its SMARTS Initiative (Sharing Music, Accessing Resources, Transforming Students), SMEF provides instruments, scholarships, and cultural opportunities to young musicians, ensuring that the next generation can learn, grow, and create.