Barbara Dane first came to wide public attention as a jazz and blues singer performing with the likes of Jack Teagarden, Louis Armstrong, Memphis Slim, and Muddy Waters in the late 1950s and early '60s. Jazz critic Leonard Feather described her as "Bessie Smith in stereo" and Time magazine said she had "a voice as pure, rich, and rare as a 20 karat diamond." While she had a major label record deal and was appearing regularly on national television, Barbara maintained her commitment to work in the movements for peace and justice. She took her songs to gatherings of people everywhere from the Mississippi Freedom Schools to the GI movement against the Vietnam War, to the first Women's Music festival, a clandestine tour in Spain still under Franco, and to Cuba as the first U.S. singer to tour there after the revolution. Barbara puts it all in perspective when she talks about the roots of her music and activism. "(These songs) born out of the worst conditions one people can force upon another, out of slavery and exploitation, were given to the world in the spirit of turning madness into sanity, pain into joy, bondage into freedom, and enmity into unity. This spirit is something to be learned from, shared, and spread as far as it will go!"

Tonight Barbara celebrates her 80th birthday accompanied her Golden Gate Hot Seven Jazz Band with Ray Skelbred (piano), Richard Hadlock (reeds), Bob Mielke (trombone), Marc Caparone (trumpet), Clint Baker (guitar), Bill Maginnis (drums), and Marty Eggers (bass). Plus a set with Johnny Harper (guitar), Ellen Hoffman (piano), and special guests including India Cook (violin). Join us for a memorable evening as Barbara offers us a small glimpse of her lifetime of work dedicated to a belief in the power of music to move individuals and to help change society.