SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – Cuesta College invites the Central Coast community to enjoy The Sistering, a vocal jazz group featuring Lois Deloatch, Nnenna Freelon, Kate McGarry, and Lenora Zenzalai Helm. The concert takes place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at the Harold J. Miossi Cultural and Performing Arts Center on the San Luis Obispo Campus.
The Sistering released their self-titled debut album on March 20, 2026, and performed at Carnegie Hall in New York on April 1. With a jazz quartet, they play original music focused on family, love, loss, and resilience. Improvisation is at the heart of their sound.
This concert is part of the 28th annual Cuesta Vocal Jazz Festival and features four accomplished vocalists, composers, and educators. Their music blends jazz, soul, folk, funk, and spoken word. Cuesta Voce, the college's top student vocal group, will open the evening and join The Sistering for a collaborative finale.
For the first time in almost 10 years, the festival will feature two headliner concerts. The Friday concert is reserved for festival attendees, while the new Saturday concert gives the local community a chance to hear the headliners and celebrate the college's student musicians.
"Each of those artists has a very distinctive voice and an immense amount of musical experience," said John Knutson, performing arts faculty member. "Together, they create something our students can learn from in a real way—how to listen, take creative risks, and support each other. We're excited to share that with the community."
The group celebrates the artistry and life experience of women whose voices have grown through years of performing, teaching, and creating. Their name comes from the building trade, where 'sistering' means lashing one beam to another for support, a metaphor for how the musicians support each other.
Each member brings an impressive career to the group:
- Nnenna Freelon is a seven-time Grammy nominee whose career as a performer, recording artist, educator, and advocate has spanned more than 30 years.
- Kate McGarry is a three-time Grammy nominee and a performer whose work spans several musical genres. She has worked with Fred Hersch, Kurt Elling, and Maria Schneider.
- Dr. Lenora Zenzalai Helm is Dean of the Professional Education Division at Berklee College of Music and a former U.S. Jazz Ambassador. She is a vocalist, composer, and arranger with eight recordings to her name.
- Lois Deloatch is a vocalist and songwriter with a rich contralto voice, known for blending jazz, folk, blues, and spirituals.
During the festival, the artists will share their knowledge and experience with Cuesta College music students, connecting professional performance with hands-on learning opportunities.
"This concert is an invitation to come together and hear four very talented artists tell their stories through music," said Joan Hurwit, supervisor of the Harold J. Miossi Cultural and Performing Arts Center. "Having our students open the evening and then perform with The Sistering makes it especially meaningful. It's a great chance for the audience to enjoy superb live music while supporting the next generation of performers."
Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students with ID. Parking in Lot 2A is included. For tickets and more event details, visit tickets.cuesta.edu. Learn more about the artists at sisteringproject.com.
ABOUT CUESTA COLLEGE
Cuesta College empowers students to imagine and achieve brighter futures through high-quality education, personalized support, and a welcoming community. With a main campus in San Luis Obispo, a North County Campus in Paso Robles, a South County Center in Arroyo Grande, and a variety of online offerings, we offer opportunities that inspire growth, spark innovation, and open doors, helping every student succeed on their unique path. Learn more at cuesta.edu.