Madame Jenny’s and Black Scranton Project have teamed up to host the Annette St. John Quintet in honor of the many black women in jazz who have come before.

This one-night-only event — set for Saturday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the speakeasy inside the Bittenbender Building, at 126 Franklin Ave. — is meant to bring an awareness to the achievements and significance of these women. Tickets start at $35, plus fees, and are available at MadameJennys.com.

“You can find something you can resonate to,” said Glynis Johns, founder of the Black Scranton Project. “(Fans) can see something new or different and get a taste of local black history.”

The star of the show, singer Annette St. John, was born and raised in Harlem. She has toured in the United States and Japan in addition to working with many legends in the music industry. Her jazz style reflects those ranging from the 1930s to the present.

“Annette St. John is a true jazz legend, and we’re beyond excited for her show,” said Wendy Wilson, proprietor of Madame Jenny’s.

Several musicians on the piano, guitar, drums and saxophone will accompany St. John.

“Just like the first raising of the Pan-African flag outside of City Hall earlier this month (for Black History Month), this show is also happening for the first time,” Johns said.

Johns and Wilson expect this event to have a great impact on the community. Johns feels that people in this area are afraid of blackness, and she wants everyone to see black people in a positive way.

“It’ll open up the community’s eyes to some new perspectives and new people,” she said. “There are people doing incredible work in this community, and it will honor them.”

She expects to open up a dialogue about race effectively so people can learn from this event.

This event is meant to not only educate but also celebrate black people in history and in the community. Food from local black-owned establishments will cater the event.

“What better time to promote them,” Johns said.

“Madame Jenny’s is thrilled to partner with organizations like the Black Scranton Project in bringing culturally diverse and amazingly talented performers to the region,” Wilson said. “We are beyond humble that (St. John) will grace our stage with her presence right in the heart of downtown Scranton.”

Johns is very passionate about the people in this community and feels that they don’t get enough credit for the things that they accomplish. She hopes to form an appreciation in the community for these hard-working individuals.

“I mainly want to accomplish an awareness of black history and form a celebration of the local black people,” Johns said.

Contact the writer: kbravin@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127

 

If you go

  • What: Sisters in Song: Annette St. John Quintet Pays Tribute to Black Women in Jazz
  • When: Saturday, Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Madame Jenny’s at the Bittenbender, 126 Franklin Ave., Scranton
  • Details: Tickets start at $35, plus fees, and are available at MadameJennys.com.