In March 2022 Dixon Stage Left formed a partnership with Grammy-nomiated Judy Carmichael to launch what will be an annual event presenting Judy’s radio show/podcast in front of a live audience. Judy’s guest will be guitar virtuoso, James Chirillo. James is a celebrated composer and teacher (Juilliard School), recording artist and touring musician (with Wynton Marsalis, Benny Carter, Tony Bennett and others). Judy and James will perform together and discuss his musical inspirations.
Judy Carmichael is considered one of the leading interpreters of stride and swing piano. She has
performed throughout the world from Carnegie Hall to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in
Venice to shows with Michael Feinstein and The Smothers Brothers. In addition, she has done
comic skits and performed her music on radio and TV and performed private recitals for Robert
Redford, Rod Steward, Bill Clinton, and theater producer Cameron Macintosh, among others. In
1992 Ms. Carmichael was the first jazz musician sponsored by the United States Government to
tour China.
Judy appeared frequently on A Prairie Home Companion, has been featured on Entertainment
Tonight, NPR’s Morning Edition, CBS Sunday Morning and done film and TV in Brazil and for
the BBC and the Australian Broadcast Corporation. She has written two books on stride piano
and numerous articles about jazz. Her memoir, Swinger! A Jazz Girl’s Adventures from
Hollywood to Harlem was published in 2018.