Rhonda Sauce is the kind of artist who reminds you that the tradition is still being written.

Hailing from Oakland, California, Rhonda Sauce is a vocalist, composer, arranger, lyricist, multi-instrumentalist, and bandleader creating original music that honors the lineage of jazz while expanding into soul, blues, Brazilian music, folk traditions, and the broader Afro-diasporic musical landscape. With a voice that is both timeless and unmistakably personal, Rhonda brings warmth, clarity, and fearless intention to every performance. As vocalist and educator Dr. Kim Nalley notes, she “has the special voice, firmly rooted in the jazz greats while still oozing her special unique style.”

An accomplished arranger and storyteller, Rhonda approaches music as both a celebration of tradition and a space for exploration. Her original compositions weave together rich harmony, infectious rhythm, and vivid storytelling, reflecting a deep curiosity about the human experience. Whether performing her own work or interpreting beloved repertoire, Rhonda creates performances that feel deeply connected, emotionally resonant, and alive in the moment.

As a Bay Area artist, Rhonda has collaborated with luminaries including Lenny Williams, Jeff Chambers, Tammy Hall, Chris Amberger, Faye Carroll, Kim Nalley, and Terrance Kelly. Her music has graced renowned stages including Freight & Salvage, Yoshi’s Oakland, and SFJAZZ, as well as historic festivals including the Concord Jazz Festival, KCSM Jazz on the Hill, and the Fillmore Jazz Festival.

In recent years, Rhonda has stepped fully into her role as a composer and bandleader, developing a growing body of original work that reflects her unique musical voice. Her newest compositions have been featured at the San Francisco International Arts Festival, highlighted by the East Bay Express, and showcased through a live Studio 91 performance and interview on KCSM 91.1 FM. She has continued sharing this music with audiences through performances including the Levitt VIBE Oakland Concert Series and other Bay Area stages.

An alumna of NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater’s Woodshed Network Residency, Rhonda is not merely a custodian of tradition; she is an artist carrying it forward—honoring the music that shaped her while creating a sound that is deeply personal, contemporary, and unmistakably her own.