DivaNation gathers the jazz-chanteuse elite of Philly for a joyful noise

Billie Holiday was born in Philadelphia. Nina Simone lived here. Melody Gardot keeps an address here, as does Rhenda Fearrington, Peggy King, Shamika Byrd, Suzanne Cloud, Rachelle Ferrell, and Dyana Jean.

So a summit of Philly jazz divas makes divine sense. And that is what Homer Jackson and Aaron Graves have done with DivaNation - a series of conversations, workshops, and live showcases on Friday and Saturday at Drexel University's Mandell Theater.

Name a local jazz chanteuse and Jackson has an epithet of praise for her. Barbara Montgomery "owns the stage." Ella Ghant is, as her name suggests, an "exquisite stylist." Saudah Al Akbar is a songstress whose every word "is an opportunity for adventure." Bethlehem "brings raw, unapologetic, gospel energy, fueled by Hebrew language and Torah studies." Bebop veteran Carol Harris "exudes the sensibility of an improvising instrumentalist."

In DivaNation, Jackson is doing for the diva elite what he's done with other locals through his Philadelphia Jazz Project (PJP). "My vision of Philly jazz, male or female, is about diversity," he says. DivaNation aims to increase the visibility of local female jazz artists and expand their audience. It was conceived with pianist Graves, he says, "who suggested workshops and monthly gatherings to develop community and bonds between these women.

"The grace of local jazz women who have done so much, musically, professionally, and personally," says jazz singer and DivaNation participant Gretchen Elise, "is a constant inspiration."

After an open call, these women got together in January - and it was if they were instant family. Monthly sessions followed at the Clef Club, Friends Select School, and the Leeway Foundation. Montgomery, Ghant, Al Akbar, Bethlehem, Harris, and Elise were joined by 16-year-old Lotus Barron (the youngest diva), Liz Filantes (different in that she has a theater background), and Dena Underwood, one of DivaNation's musical directors along with Kendrah Butler, herself a participating singer/pianist.

Ghant, who turned 65 this May, says she has been singing exclusively jazz since 1985, "the year of my first jazz gig at Freedom Theatre."

Although she's sung other styles of music over the years, Ghant considers herself "a traditional jazz vocalist, honoring the styles of Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, and Betty Carter. I love telling stories through jazz songs with intricate melodies and an awesome band."

Being a part of DivaNation for nine months allowed Ghant to explore her skill set, reassess her solo styling, and sing background for other divas, which recalled the energy of making R&B music, pre-1985.

The best part of DivaNation for Ghant is to see "singers in all levels of development. It's a joy watching younger singers make adjustments from session to session. I see them growing before my eyes."

Elise, 45, has performed for a decade already, but she hesitates to call herself a jazz singer. "I had a voice teacher in Boston who was very strict about the 'jazz' title," she says, "schooling me with 'you can't claim being a jazz musician until you can improvise over all modes, until you've put in the years, studied the greats, done the work." Singers such as Ghant and Montgomery have done that work. "I write original tunes steeped in jazz tradition, in the jazz approach," Elise says. "But am I a jazz singer?"

DivaNation calls on Elise's jazz training, the jazz roots of her compositions, while introducing her to new mentors among the diva elders. She also is learning from newer performers such as Lotus. She speaks of the chance to sing a Thad Jones classic such as "A Child Is Born," as well as several original tunes (such as her bossa nova number, "I Wonder").

Other joys include a session on singers writing their own bios. "It was about 'Why do I sing?' " she says. "And telling that story, like telling all of our stories, is like peeling an onion."

DivaNation Series

7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Mandell Theater, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut St.

Tickets: Adults, $20; seniors and students, $10

Information: 215-895-2787 or www.drexel.eduEndText