Submitted by Stephanie Van Vark
The Betsy’s Annual Overture to Overtown Jazz Festival (OTO) celebrates the historic connections between South Florida jazz and the National historical jazz circuit.
Unable to stay the night after a gig on the beach, musicians went “over town” to stay and perform in hotels and clubs that were owned and operated by Black propietors. Celebrating the likes of Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, Josephine Baker and more, the Betsy’s robust lineup inside the Hotel will be augmented my curating and co-presenting events in Overtown, in the Miami Dade County Public the Schools, at area colleges, and with the Ocean Drive Association in Lummus Park.
The Bestsy’s 11th Annual Overture to Overtown Jazz Festival is co-produced by legacy jazz vocalist and businesswoman Carole Ann Taylor and Deborah Briggs, Betsy VP of Arts and Community Engagement.
