About Us

Welcome to Sweet Baby J'ai Presents

Sweet Baby J'ai Presents: Sunset Music Series, showcasing some of the best music and comedy in the world--Let's just start there! Experience a diverse range of genres, from jazz and blues to soul, Latin Jazz, world music, and comedy. Rooted in a profound commitment to education, our festival pays homage to jazz masters of the past while joyfully celebrating the future with rising stars.

Driven by artistic fire, our passionate team's core mission is to establish an inclusive space within the performing arts. Here, musicians craft narratives that keep our American heritage alive, while stand-up comedians invite us to reflect on our shared truths through laughter. Through educational programs and performances spotlighting diverse talents, we actively contribute to a more equitable cultural landscape. Join us as we ignite souls, ensuring the harmonious echoes of our past resonate far into the future.

Beyond the stage, our commitment to inclusivity extends into nurturing future generations of artists. We believe every child deserves the chance to discover the joy of music. Join us in making a difference! Your support, through donations or volunteering, fuels the musical dreams of underprivileged youth through the Sharing Music, Accessing Resources, Transforming Students (SMARTS) initiative, ensuring access to musical instruments for underprivileged students. Become a part of their musical journey – donate today and help amplify the harmonies of tomorrow!

Our events welcome individuals of all ages, sexual orientations, and ethnicities. The Sweet Baby J'ai Presents team guarantees an epic celebration that transcends boundaries. Let loose under the desert stars to sizzling blues, soulful melodies, and side-splitting stand-up at the Palm Springs Sunset Music and Comedy Fest – where unforgettable moments await!

Meet The Team

Sweet Baby J'ai

Executive Director

Sweet Baby J'ai's passion for music and education spans over three decades, leaving an indelible mark with every project she undertakes. Her unwavering dedication to empowering women shines through in initiatives like the Women in Jazz All-Stars lineup, where she celebrates their vital contributions to the art form. From ideation to execution, J'ai's events consistently showcase her commitment to pushing creative boundaries and crafting unforgettable experiences for audiences.

As a US Jazz Ambassador, she has embraced and expanded jazz tradition on a global scale, crafting visionary programming that brings together celebrated performers and emerging talents. Under her artistic direction, the Palm Springs Women's Jazz Festival gained international recognition as a premier platform for women's jazz artistry. Now, her wealth of knowledge and expertise fuels her endeavors with Sweet Baby J'ai Presents and The Sunset Music Series.

Beyond her role in event production, Sweet Baby J'ai brings her expertise as an internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, actress, and US Jazz Ambassador, pivotal in spreading jazz traditions globally. Honored with prestigious awards such as the Living Jazz Legend Award, induction into the California Jazz and Blues Hall of Fame, and recognition from organizations like HRC with an Advocate of Equality Award, BOD Legacy Award, and L-Fund Visionary Award, J'ai has made a lasting impact.

Her leadership extends to nonprofit and education sectors, where she chaired and served on various boards. As the Executive Creative Director at the Educational Theatre Institute, she has enhanced arts education, fostering programs that nurture students' confidence, communication skills, critical thinking, creativity, and professionalism. Giving back remains integral, with initiatives like allocating scholarship awards to underserved communities for theatre arts and supporting aspiring jazz students—empowering dreams through education and mentorship. Creating what's been hailed as some of the best programming ever is what she's known for!

Elizabeth Borden

Producer

Festival Producer Liz Borden boasts over thirty years of production experience, orchestrating live shows and events across the country. In her three years in the desert, she has been a driving force behind productions for the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival, Alzheimer’s Coachella Valley, and The New England Music Hall Of Fame Induction Awards. Renowned for her multifaceted talents as a musician, singer, songwriter, music manager, photographer, and writer, Liz has left an indelible mark with the band Lizzie Borden and The Axes.

A fortuitous encounter with Sweet Baby Jai over 15 years ago in a Provincetown, MA production led to a seamless collaboration. Since her relocation to Palm Springs, Liz and Jai have formed a dynamic duo, showcasing their successful partnership. Currently signed to Code 213 Records, Liz is set to release a new CD in 2024, adding another layer to her already illustrious musical journey.

Beyond her musical endeavors, Liz has completed her fourth movie and remains a familiar face on television, highlighting her versatility and diverse talents. As an artist with a wealth of experience, Liz brings her multifaceted talents to her role as Festival/Event Producer, ensuring that each production is a finely tuned masterpiece.

Stay tuned for the exciting developments ahead as Liz continues to contribute her rich tapestry of skills to the world of festivals and events. Watch out for what's next!

Felecia Howell

Production manager

Felecia Howell, a seasoned professional with over two decades in the entertainment industry, brings an extensive background to her role as a production manager. Her career, spanning film, television, theatre, and music, showcases her proficiency in producing, directing, supervising, and serving as a showrunner. A graduate with a BA in Mass Media Arts from Howard University and the University of Washington DC, she further honed her skills through an MFA in the Producer's program for Theatre, Television, and Film from the University of Los Angeles.

Her expertise extends to being one of the most reliable and sought-after script supervisors in Hollywood, contributing to prestigious projects such as The Academy Awards (ABC), Unprisoned, Remember Me (Hulu), Send Help (All Black), and The Devil You Know (Prime) in the television realm. In the cinematic domain, she has been involved in notable films such as Gone Are The Days, Things Never Said, He Went That Way, and Then She's Betty Carter.

Felecia's impact is particularly pronounced in live theater and music festivals, where she has excelled as a production and stage manager. Notably, her collaboration with Sweet Baby J'ai for twelve years has resulted in shows that resonated with audiences long after the curtains closed. Beyond her impressive track record, Felecia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her pivotal role as the production manager for Sweet Baby J'ai Presents and The Palm Springs Sunset Music and Comedy Fest. Her ability to seamlessly navigate the dynamic world of entertainment, coupled with her dedication to excellence, underscores the significant contributions she makes to the success of the Festival productions.

About Our Fiscal Sponsor

Fiscal Sponsor Non-Profit 501c3 Tax Information

Strait Knot Productions

1271 Solana Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Federal Tax ID: #92-2510473

Strait Knot Productions: Supporting the Music

The Sunset Music Series is made possible with the support of Strait Knot Productions, our fiscal sponsor. This organization, led by Dr. Ronni Sanlo and Dr. Kelly Watson, shares our commitment to creating impactful experiences. Dr. Watson's background is particularly inspiring. A co-founder of women's recovery and outpatient centers in Arizona, she's a champion for mental health parity in insurance coverage. Her passion for production blossomed when she became the executive producer of award-winning films like "Letter to Anita" and "Passionate Pursuits of Angela Bowen.

Sweet Baby J'ai's artistic vision and passion for education and cultural diversity, combined with Strait Knot Productions' dedication to social impact, ensures unforgettable experiences for audiences at The Sunset Music Series.