Shenel Johns has developed her own eclectic style, counting among her influences Ella Fitzgerald, Abbey Lincoln, and Sarah Vaughn. She has shared the stage with music royalty including Curtis Fuller, Hank Jones, Dionne Warwick, and Sheila Jordan. A native of Hartford, CT, Johns studied performance with such jazz legends such as Rene McLean, Jimmy Greene, and Nat Reeves. She graduated from the Jackie McLean Institute at the Hartt School of Music with a bachelor’s degree in music management. She served a musical residency at Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) Doha, then honored Billie Holiday as part of JALC’s New York production of Billie and the Boys. Johns has also performed a tribute to another of her idols, Lena Horne, at New York City’s famed Appel Theater. 

Click on the YouTube logo on the embedded player to chat with the artists and other virtual audience members during the premiere.

Presented in association with the Miami University Performing Arts Series.