An Evening with Samirah Evans & Wanda Houston 'Classic Duets' at The Iron Horse on Saturday, August 15 2026

Samirah Evans style is heavily influenced by the New Orleans sound where she was one of the city’s most in-demand singers. Her 1990 debut at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival began a stint of 15 consecutive years performing there as a leader or featured vocalist, and she was a fixture in both clubs and concert venues throughout the Crescent City, including Snug Harbor, Tipitina’s and the House of Blues. During her career, she has toured North and South America, Europe and Asia, sharing stages with a multitude of New Orleans notables and legendary artists, including James Brown, B.B. King, Dr. John, Levon Helm, Aaron Neville, Charles Neville, Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison, Jr., Irma Thomas, Trombone Shorty and Sheila Jordan.

Hurricane Katrina caused Samirah to relocate to her husband’s hometown of Brattleboro, Vermont. She assembled a band called Samirah Evans and Her Handsome Devils and developed notoriety throughout New England touring upon their 2009 CD release “Hot Club” Live at the Vermont JazzCenter, Evans 3rd release. Evans dedicates time to perpetuating indigenous American music. In New Orleans, Evans participated in the Blues Schoolhouse sponsored by the House of Blues Foundation and hosted a show for the N.O. Jazz & Heritage Foundation radio station, WWOZ. She is currently an Artist Associate in Jazz Voice at Williams College.

Wanda L. Houston is not only the lead vocalist for Heth, Bradley & Houston, the Wanda Houston Band and Big & Bigger, she also lends her talent to regional music projects, including the Convergence Project, Mothership Trio, the VT Jazz Center Big Band and the NOLA inspired Rejuvenators.

Houston has lived and performed professionally throughout the U.S., Europe and Australia. She’s performed on Broadway stages, film, recording, and television.  Working in varying capacities with Michael Jackson, Barbara Streisand, John Tuturro, Eddie Izzard, Natalie Cole, Eartha Kitt, Patti LaBelle and Sam Harris brought her to the stages of Pasadena Playhouse, Universal Studios, Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden & Carnegie Hall. Now based in the So. Berkshires Wanda travels throughout the States & New England sharing her brand of Jazz, R&B, Gospel, Blues, Rock & Musical Theater. 

Look for her documentary “Unfinished Song” to be released in 2027. Visit WandaWorld.Biz for more info.