Greta Matassa Group (Within/Earshot Jazz Festival)

A BIMA PRISM PROGRAM
PART OF THE 2026 WITHIN/EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL
After a 40-year career that’s taken her from Los Angeles to New York to stages across Japan and beyond, Greta Matassa is coming home to Bainbridge Island for this special concert.

Widely regarded as one of the finest jazz vocalists of her generation, Matassa has been named Best Jazz Vocalist in the Northwest eight times by Earshot Jazz, inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame, and praised by bassist John Clayton as one of the best jazz singers working today.

Her performance will span the Great American Songbook, jazz interpretations of contemporary music, and original compositions including a preview of her upcoming Origin Records release, We Are Gathered Here (coming in 2027). Expect the fearless, instrumentalist-like phrasing and effortless scatting that’s earned comparisons to Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson.

This isn’t just a concert, it’s a homegrown legend returning to the community that shaped her.

ABOUT GRETA MATASSA
“Matassa’s performance was a marvel of virtuosity.” —Los Angeles Times

In the Pacific Northwest, where she built her career, Greta Matassa wins wide acclaim; 8 times, the readers of Earshot, the Seattle Jazz Magazine, have voted her the best jazz vocalist in the Northwest including another award in 2021. She was inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame in 2014. Jim Wilke, the Seattle jazz maven and host of the syndicated “Jazz After Hours” radio program, praises her versatility. “She has a fearlessness in approaching material,” Wilke says, “that makes her like an instrumentalist in a jam session.”

Bassist and producer John Clayton says “One of the best jazz singers we have to boast about these days.”

Her 40 year career has been a whirlwind of exciting opportunities and experiences. Over the last 20 years she has become established as one of the greatest jazz singers of her time. Working with top jazz musicians in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. In 2016, She was featured with bassist John Clayton’s group in a centennial tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. She has recorded 11 CD’s. Her latest release, Portrait, on Origin Records is receiving rave reviews.

Her decision to start teaching was probably her greatest contribution to the future of the genre she loves so much. For the last 20 years Greta has become one of the most unique and respected educators in the field today. Offering individual lessons and mentorships as well as establishing loyal student bases from Seattle to Japan, from Alaska to Kauai, from Chicago to New York. Greta travels extensively teaching and performing.

“The album (Portrait), closes with Billy Strayhorn’s ‘Lush Life.’ All members of the quintet support Matassa and one another in what could become known as a definitive vocal version of that masterpiece.” —-Rifftides

“Boppish, snappy and conversational.” —Downbeat

“One of the best jazz vocalists we have to boast about these days.” —John Clayton

“Worldly, gentle, bold, dynamic, Favorites From a Long Walk is a gift for the heart. Greta Matassa is one of America’s finest singers, and stands firmly among the best in today’s jazz.” —Jazz Review

“Greta Matassa moves from triumph to triumph.” —Christopher Loudon, Jazz Times

”She can give Ms. Streisand a run for it!” —Seattle times

“Matassa is a Seattle treasure.” —Seattle Times

“Her scatting is as confident, nimble an energetic as Ella’s and her phrasing is hip like Nancy Wilson’s.” —Earshot Jazz

Performance Description: Native Bainbridge Islander, Greta Matassa returns home for this concert. She will be performing materials from many of her 10 CDs including material from her new upcoming release We Are Gathered Here on Origin Records (coming in 2027). Greta’s performances reach across the great American songbook and into jazz interpretations of contemporary music as well. Lots of original compositions will be included in this concert.

Follow Greta Matassa here.