Puttin’ on the Ritz: A Celebration of the Great American Songbook
Puttin’ on the Ritz celebrates the timeless elegance of the Great American Songbook with an evening of classic jazz favorites made famous by legends including Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Dean Martin, and Linda Ronstadt. Featuring beloved standards such as “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “On the Street Where You Live,” “Sway,” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” the program blends romance, swing, blues, and Broadway charm. From intimate ballads to lively medleys, this unforgettable concert captures the sophistication, nostalgia, and enduring appeal of America’s most treasured songs.
Saturday, March 20, 2027 at 7 pm
O’Conner Family Life Center
613 Main St., Natchez, MS
Tickets Available Soon
Lynn Beach Smith
Beach Smith is a captivating jazz vocalist whose performances blend warmth, sophistication, soul, and a touch of Southern sparkle. With a deep love for jazz and the art of storytelling through song, she brings genuine emotion and a distinctive personal style to every performance.
Her voice is warm, expressive, and full of feeling, equally suited to a smoky ballad, a swinging standard, or a familiar favorite reimagined with fresh insight. While Lynn has great appreciation for the composers and vocalists who shaped jazz, she is not content simply to recreate the past. Instead, she searches for the story within each song and makes it her own through phrasing, spontaneity, and emotional connection.
A natural communicator, Lynn believes the best music is not merely heard, but felt. Whether performing in an intimate venue, at a festival, or for a special event, she strives to create an atmosphere that invites audiences to relax, listen, and be drawn into the music.
For her, singing is ultimately about connection: the story behind the song, the musicians beside her, and the shared moment between artist and audience. Her goal is simple and generous: to lift spirits, bring people together, and leave listeners humming long after the final note. When she sings, the music comes alive.
Tyler Kemp
An accomplished pianist and collaborator, Tyler Kemp has become an essential part of musical life in and around Jackson, MS. His captivating and exciting performances of classical, jazz, and pop music showcase confidence and fluency from the concert stage and bandstand alike.
Tyler joined the faculty of Mississippi College in 2014 as Faculty Accompanist and Instructor of Collaborative Piano. He gives recitals regularly with students, faculty, and guest artists, as well as working with the Opera Theatre and Musical Theatre. In the community, he serves as music director at Bellwether Church and is a frequent performer with the Mississippi Opera. He is a founding member of NEW JXN, a new music ensemble based in Jackson.