Media Kit

2025

Rhonda Sauce is the kind of artist who reminds you why jazz matters. Hailing from the vibrant city of Oakland, California, Rhonda Sauce has quietly become one of the Bay Area’s most versatile and compelling voices in jazz —she “has the special voice, firmly rooted in the jazz greats while still oozing her special unique style” (Dr. K. Nalley). With a voice that is both timeless and unmistakably personal, Rhonda reinvigorates the jazz idiom with clarity, warmth, and fearless intention. An accomplished arranger, composer, lyricist, multi-instrumentalist, and captivating vocalist, she brings an infectious enthusiasm to every note she sings and every phrase she shapes.

As a Bay Area artist, Rhonda Sauce has had the privilege of collaborating with luminaries such as Lenny Williams, Jeff Chambers, Tammy Hall, Chris Amberger, Faye Carroll, Kim Nalley, and Terrance Kelly. These collaborations have enriched her musical journey and added depth to her sonic palette. Rhonda's music has graced the stages of iconic Bay Area venues, including Freight and Salvage, Yoshi's, and SF Jazz, as well as historic festivals like the Concord Jazz Festival, KCSM Jazz on the Hill, and the Fillmore Jazz Festival.

Rhonda’s voice is a portal to the soul of the music, carrying the warmth of the past while anchoring each moment firmly in the present. An alumni of NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater’s Woodshed Network Residency, Rhonda is not merely a custodian of tradition; she is a visionary artist, forging a sound that honors jazz’s rich history while pushing it forward with bold, unmistakable purpose. Simply put, Rhonda Sauce is a voice of a lifetime, ready for the world’s stage.

The Sauce

On her debut EP Back to You, she transforms classics like
“Red Top Blues” and “Siboney”— while having living, breathing conversations, with The Greats— writing lyrics for Hank Mobley’s “This I Dig of You” and Erroll Garner’s “Back to You.” Each phrase Rhonda sings is steeped in tradition whilst crackling with modern vitality.

Listen to Back to You

Rhonda Sauce has become a vibrant presence in the Bay Area
and beyond, gracing festival stages, premier jazz clubs, and iconic venues while sharing the stage with some of the most respected voices in jazz. Her performances reflect both her versatility as a leader and her commitment to honoring and advancing the jazz tradition.

  • KCSM Jazz on the Hill Festival – Three Ladies Sing the Blues with Kim Nalley, Clairdee, Rhonda Sauce (2025)

  • Fillmore Jazz Festival – Rhonda Sauce with Clairdee (2025)

  • Jazz Search West Finalist – Living Jazz, SF (2019)

  • “Oh Lady Be Good: Songs by Women Played by Women” – San Francisco (2024)

  • Appearances at SF Jazz, Yoshi’s, Freight & Salvage (Bay Area, various years)

  • NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater’s Woodshed Network – Women in Jazz Residency (2022)

  • Giants Stadium, San Francisco – Solo Performance (2021)

  • No Means No (SFWAR) – SF Jazz (2020)

  • Jazz Search West Finalist – Living Jazz, SF (2019)

Notable performances include

The Sound