Wednesday, 2/25/2026, 3pm - Jazz In The Afternoon Special with Jesse 'Chuy' Varela

Don Dixon

Join Jesse “Chuy” Varela as he welcomes Julia Keefe, the distinguished
Native American vocalist, arranger, and bandleader to discuss her upcoming performance at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Playhouse presenting a truly one-of-a-kind ensemble, the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band.

The orchestra celebrates and extends the contributions of Indigenous and
Native musicians, composers, and bandleaders throughout the rich history of jazz. Indigenous artists like Russell “Big Chief” Moore, Mildred Bailey, Oscar Pettiford, and Jim Pepper ascended into the limelight as star performers, but many other players were never recognized. Today Keefe’s dynamic ensemble shines a light on that legacy, featuring a “who’s who” of Indigenous musicians from a range of tribal affiliations across North and South America.