Tierney Sutton & Tamir Hendelman

“One of the most-lauded jazz vocalists of her generation.”
–The New York Times 

Nine-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated vocalist Tierney Sutton ’86 will present an intimate duo performance with world-renowned pianist Tamir Hendelman, performing tunes from their new release, “Spring” (2026), as part of Wesleyan’s Reunion + Commencement Weekend. After decades of collaboration, Sutton and Hendelman share an intuitive, nearly telepathic connection.

Celebrated as a compelling jazz storyteller and for her ability to use her impeccable voice as a true instrument, Sutton first discovered jazz music while she was an undergraduate at Wesleyan. She has since performed at Lincoln Center, Birdland, Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Montreal Jazz Festival, with reviews appearing in The New York Times, JazzTimes, Variety, Chicago Sun Times, and L.A. Daily News.

Born in Tel Aviv, pianist, composer, and arranger Tamir Hendelman has made Southern California his home, though his career is truly global. A longtime member of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, he has recorded with Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole, and Paul McCartney, performed with jazz greats Benny Golson and Terell Stafford, and appeared as a guest artist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Winston-Salem Symphony.