Celebrate National Jazz Month at The Betsy with a special evening of live music presented as part of The Betsy’s Overtown Legacy Series, in partnership with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. Honoring the rich cultural legacy of jazz in Miami and beyond, this program brings together outstanding artists for a night of rhythm, storytelling, and soulful performance in an intimate setting.

The evening features acclaimed vocalist LeNard Rutledge from 7:00 to 10:00 PM, alongside music by the Angel Perez Trio, performing from 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM. Together, these performances celebrate the enduring influence of jazz and The Betsy’s ongoing commitment to preserving and presenting the artistic traditions that shape our community.

Book a table at LT Steak & Seafood to make the most of this special evening, or join us in The Piano Bar for cocktails and conversation.

LeNard Rutledge, born and raised in Miami, Florida, where there are only a handful of truly great jazz vocalists, is usually compared, aptly, to the legendary Lou Rawls. Like Rawls, Rutledge's classy elegance is often permeated by the raw passion of his church choir work. In fact Rutledge still sings with the choir at The Church of The Incarnation. Rutledge began not as a vocalist but as a percussionist, playing in the marching and concert band at Miami Central Senior High, and later making his income while attending Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh, North Carolina.  

He began his vocal career in 1997, when he was asked to join the famed Melton Mustafa Orchestra after returning to Miami. LeNard was the featured vocalist for Melton Mustafa for seven years. In 2002, Rutledge was introduced to the music director of The Van Dyke Café's, Don Wilner, who immediately recognized Rutledge's talent and began giving him regular performance dates. LeNard has shared the stage with a number of highly respectable jazz artist such as: Wycliffe Gordon, Kenny Drew Jr., Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kirk Whalum, Marion Meadows and the late George Duke.ANGEL PEREZ - Piano - He is a Miami-born musician, with a jazz degree from Frost School of Music from University of Miami. Angel has performed widely, having started his studies at the SOBE School for the Arts on Miami Beach, in arenas including The Essentially Ellington Competition, Miami Downtown jazz festival, and Okeechobee Music Festival. Angel believes in the power of music to change lives - and is currently in a graduate program at UM pursuing credentials in Music Therapy.

Angle Perez - pianist - is a Miami-born musician, with a jazz degree from Frost School of Music from University of Miami. Angel has performed widely, having started his studies at the SOBE School for the Arts on Miami Beach, in arenas including The Essentially Ellington Competition, Miami Downtown jazz festival, and Okeechobee Music Festival. Angel believes in the power of music to change lives - and is currently in a graduate program at UM pursuing credentials in Music Therapy. 

BrandonLee Lewis - Drums - has performed internationally with many esteemed artists such as Gil Coggins, Harry Whitaker, Frank Wess, George Mraz, Kenny Garrett, among others. He's also performed on Award-Winning Broadway productions The Color Purple and Memphis and the feature film American Gangster. In addition to impeccable sideman work, he hosts a weekly Sunday night jam session, inherited from the great Harry Whitaker. Sundays have evolved into a community hang where Brandon's developed a band sound as a vehicle for his compositions, an offering known as the Program of Deprogramming, which features longstanding bandmates Lawrence Clark, Stacy Dillard, Theo Hill and Renée Cruz, in addition to a bevy of special guests.

Renee Cruz - Upright Bass - Cuban-American bassist Renée Cruz was born and raised in Miami, FL. She moved to New York City in January of 2001 to study with her musical heroes. Since then, she's had the honor of studying with bass legends Sir Ron Carter, Buster Williams, Homer Mensch and Reggie Workman. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from New School University for Jazz & Contemporary Music in 2004 and her Masters of Music from The Juilliard School in 2007.