Barbara Dane first came to wide public attention as a jazz and blues singer performing with the likes of Jack Teagarden, Louis Armstrong, Memphis Slim, and Muddy Waters in the late '50s and early '60s. Jazz critic Leonard Feather described her as "Bessie Smith in stereo" and Time magazine said she had "a voice as pure, rich, and rare as a 20 karat diamond." She had a major label record deal and was appearing on national television. All the while, Barbara never wavered in her commitment to work in the movements for peace and justice, taking her songs to gatherings of people everywhere from the Mississippi Freedom Schools to the GI movement against the Vietnam War, to the first Womenıs Music festival, a clandestine tour in Spain still under Franco, and to Cuba as the first US singer to tour there after the revolution. Barbara puts it all in perspective when she talks about the roots of her music and activism. "(These songs) born out of the worst conditions one people can force upon another, out of slavery and exploitation, were given to the world in the spirit of turning madness into sanity, pain into joy, bondage into freedom, and enmity into unity. This spirit is something to be learned from, shared, and spread as far as it will go!"

Tonight Barbara celebrates her 75th birthday by covering many facets of a lifetime of work dedicated to a belief in the power of music to move individuals and to help change society. To begin the evening, she will be joined by some of the original stars of the San Francisco Traditonal Jazz Revival in launching her brand new album What Are You Gonna Do When There Ain't No Jazz? They are: Bob Mielke (trombone), Richard Hadlock (reeds), Mark Caparone (trumpet), Clint Baker (guitar), Bill Maginnis (drums), Pete Allen (bass) and Ray Skjelbred (piano), all of whom play on the new recording.

She will also be showcasing some surprising parts of her repertoire, including songs from the Nueva Cancion movement and the music of Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis. Barbara will be joined by Ellen Hoffman on piano, Barrett Nelson and Johnny Harper on various guitars, Bruce Barthol (of Mime Troupe fame) on electric bass, bouzouki master George Mylordos and tres master Greg Landau to help unfold the world of song that Barbara has brought to her listeners all over the globe. A very special guest will be bluesman Jesse (Nick) Cahn, son of Barbara Dane and Rolf Cahn (remember The Cabale?), coming from his home in Oklahoma to honor his mother's birthday. The evening will be videotaped and recorded.