The Queen Sessions | Peggy Ratusz

The Queen Sessions at Hotel Eve | A celebration of the legendary women who shaped jazz.

Peggy Ratusz Celebrates the Music of Peggy Lee

Join us at Hotel Eve for a special edition of Queen Sessions as one of Western North Carolina's most beloved vocalists, Peggy Ratusz, pays tribute to the legendary Peggy Lee in an evening appropriately titled Peggy Sings Peggy.

A chanteuse with more than 50 years of performance experience, Ratusz is celebrated for her soulful delivery, vulnerable interpretations, playful connection with audiences, and deep appreciation for the roots of American music. Since relocating to Asheville from Austin, Texas, 24 years ago, she has become a fixture in the region's music community, producing and co-producing numerous performances honoring the women who shaped American music. Her tribute work includes a 2013 celebration of Nina Simone in Simone's hometown of Saluda, North Carolina, and a series of sold-out performances honoring the life and music of Etta James in 2018.

Her repertoire has long embraced the music of Bessie Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Blossom Dearie, Madeleine Peyroux, Diana Krall, Melody Gardot, and Connie Evingson. Now, Ratusz turns her attention to Peggy Lee, one of jazz's most distinctive and influential vocal interpreters, whose unmistakable phrasing, understated sensuality, and sophisticated arrangements helped define an era of American popular music.

With her rich, expressive voice and decades of dedication to studying and celebrating female vocalists, Ratusz brings both reverence and her own unmistakable artistry to Lee's timeless catalog.

Joining Peggy Ratusz are two of Asheville's most respected and sought-after jazz musicians:

Taylor Pierson | Piano

A gifted composer, pianist, and masterful collaborator, Pierson is known for his remarkable musical sensitivity and ability to elevate the artists around him. Equally impressive as a soloist and accompanist, he has earned a reputation as one of the region's premier pianists for vocalists and instrumentalists alike.

Zack Page | Upright Bass

One of Western North Carolina's most accomplished and versatile bassists, Page brings an intuitive, deeply empathetic approach to the rhythm section. His musicality, impeccable feel, and instinctive connection with vocalists make him an extraordinary musical partner.

Having collaborated with Ratusz for the past fifteen years, Pierson and Page share a musical chemistry that creates the perfect foundation for her voice to soar.

$10/Door. Reserve your seats here ~ capacity is limited.

Curated by Melissa McKinney.