Life, Love, Billie and Me

On March 8th, singer Sharon Doelwijt takes the stage at TOBACCO with Shjazz – Life, Love, Billie and Me: an intimate musical performance where jazz legend Billie Holiday comes to life, and Sharon’s own story seamlessly intertwines with Billie’s.

Accompanied by a live jazz trio—Tico Pierhagen on piano, Pieter Althuis on double bass, and Enrique Firpi on drums—Sharon guides you through a world of love, pain, and resilience. Spoken word flows into storytelling, and music carries the narrative. This is not a tribute, but a meeting of two women connected through jazz.

Sharon Doelwijt is known for her clear, captivating voice and her immediate connection with the audience. She sings, narrates, and moves with charm, expressiveness, and a sharp edge. A performance full of melancholy and strength, where jazz is not only heard but truly felt.

Billie Holiday, also known as Lady Day, was more than just a voice. She embodied emotion in every note, rebellion in every breath. Her music was raw, poetic, and deeply felt. She sang about love, loss, and injustice, and became one of the most influential voices in American jazz history. Sharon honors her not through imitation, but by creating an honest, personal connection.

Expect an evening full of stories, character, and top-tier jazz!