“The band punched, kicked, roared, and swung with a disciplined abandon and an unaffected joie de vivre.”

THE JAZZ TIMES

Meet DIVA

Hard-charging, powerful, immersed in the history of their craft, and passionately swinging the music forward; that’s DIVA – an ensemble of fifteen versatile, multi-generational musicians who expertly balance enthusiastic energy with sophisticated subtlety, virtuosity, and imagination.

Headed by swinging drummer Sherrie Maricle, DIVA exudes the excitement and force found in the tradition of historic big bands, with an eye towards originality. With New York as their home base, DIVA performs all over the world playing original contemporary and mainstream big band jazz composed and arranged specifically for the band and tailored to fit their distinct ensemble sound while highlighting each soloist’s unique personality and style.

DIVA swinging at Dizzy's Club Cocacola at Lincoln Center in NYC
DIVA swinging at Dizzy's Club Cocacola at Lincoln Center in NYC
DIVA's 30th Anniversary at Weekend of Jazz
DIVA's 30th Anniversary at Weekend of Jazz

Since their premiere performance 30 years ago, DIVA has toured the world to critical and popular acclaim. Performance highlights include Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Dizzy’s Club, Symphony Halls in St. Louis, Philadelphia and Cleveland, and the Hollywood Bowl. International appearances include Le Meridien Hotel in Paris, France; Teatro de Sistina in Rome, Italy; Berlin Jazz Festival in Germany; Salzburg Music Festival in Austria; Bern Jazz Festival in Switzerland; Montreal and Ottawa International Jazz Festivals in Canada; Bogota International Jazz Festival in Colombia; Jamaica Jazz Festival; Zagreb Jazz Festival in Croatia; and the Pori Jazz Festival in Finland.

As if the list of settings in which DIVA has performed isn’t impressive enough, from 2013 – 2020 the band was featured in Maurice Hines’s autobiographical musical Tappin’ Through Life, performing extended theatrical runs throughout the United States. DIVA has also shared the stage, and/or recorded with Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Diane Schuur, Carmen Bradford, Marlena Shaw, DeeDee Bridgewater, Rosemary Clooney, Ann Hampton Callaway, Jack Jones, Clark Terry, Dr. Billy Taylor, Terry Gibbs, Tommy Newsom, Dave Brubeck, and others jazz luminaries.

Notable television, film and Internet appearances include the 2017 NEA Jazz Masters Awards Ceremony live from the Kennedy Center; A 2017 PBS special with Maurice Hines for The Kate show; the soundtrack for the 2014 NBC/Macy’s Firework Spectacular; a feature in the award-winning documentary film, The Girls in the Band; multiple appearances on CNN Arts Break; a dedicated segment on CBS Sunday Morning; and musical features as part of The Kennedy Center’s 25th Anniversary Special, the Japanese television network NHK, and Metropol TV in Germany.

DIVA was founded by Stanley Kay, one-time manager and relief drummer for Buddy Rich. In 1990 he heard Sherrie play, was impressed, and decided to create a band of liked-minded, masterful players. In 1992 the search was on, and through a nationwide audition the foundation of DIVA was poured.

The DIVA Jazz Orchestra loves to swing!

DIVA backstage at Dizzy's Club Cocacola at Lincoln Center in NYC
DIVA backstage at Dizzy's Club Cocacola at Lincoln Center in NYC
National Tour of Tappin Thru Life with Maurice Hines
National Tour of Tappin Thru Life with Maurice Hines
On Tour with The Manhattan Transfer
On Tour with The Manhattan Transfer
HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 11:  The DIVA Jazz Orchestra performs onstage at the Hollywood Bowl Presents the 39th Anniversary Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl on June 11, 2017 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Mathew Imaging/WireImage)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 11: The DIVA Jazz Orchestra performs onstage at the Hollywood Bowl Presents the 39th Anniversary Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl on June 11, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mathew Imaging/WireImage)
DIVA with Skitch Henderson, Legendary Conductor, Composer, and Pianist
DIVA with Skitch Henderson, Legendary Conductor, Composer, and Pianist
What the Critics Are Saying...
“If there were still big band cutting sessions, DIVA would swing a lot of the remaining big bands out of the place.”

Nat Hentoff, Jazz Times

“DIVA: Big time charts, big time playing, and big time solos.”

The Hollywood Reporter

“[DIVA’s] ensemble sound crackles with clarity, precision, and power.”

The Hartford Courant

“DIVA played with the vigor and complexity of the big time big bands.”

The Washington Post

“[In concert with Diane Schuur] the band navigated through music that transcended boundaries of time and style.”

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“There are not many veteran bands that interpret cutting-edge original arrangements with such tight ensembles and strong improvisers.”

International Herald Tribune

“Everybody in that band was powerful… Their set [in concert with Nancy Wilson], powered by drummer-leader Sherrie Maricle, smoked.”

The Plain Dealer, Cleveland

Meet the DIVAS

Sherrie Maricle drummer diva jazz band

Sherrie Maricle

Drummer & Leader

Alexa Tarantino alto saxophone

Alexa Tarantino

Lead Alto Sax

Laura Dreyer saxophone

Laura Dreyer

Tenor Sax 1

Mercedes Beckman alto saxophone

Mercedes Beckman

Alto Sax 2

Jade Coss alto saxophone

Jade Elliot

Tenor sax 2

Leigh Pilzer with baritone saxophone

Leigh Pilzer

Baritone Sax

Jennifer Krupa, trombone

Jennifer Krupa

Trombone 1

Sara Jacovino trombone

Sara Jacovino

Trombone 2

Leslie Havens trombone

Leslie Havens

Bass trombone

Liesl Whitaker

Lead Trumpet

Jami Dauber

Trumpet

Barbara Laronga

trumpet

Rachel Therrien

trumpet

Tomoko Ohno

piano

Noriko Ueda

bass

DIVA Live in Action

Whether live or via recording, DIVA always guarantees an evening of spirited and exciting entertainment that leaves the audience on its feet pleading for more.