Nigel Parry, Downtown St. Paul Voice—Chicago native Pippi Ardennia has been crooning since age 13. She cut her teeth while performing in Chicago’s celebrated jazz clubs, including the Burning Spear, Mr. Kelly’s, Rosebud on Rush, the Green Dolphin, and larger venues such as the Chicago Symphony Center and Taste of Chicago. She has delivered her lush, sultry vocals before such notables as President Bill Clinton, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Tony Bennett and Liza Minnelli, and has performed with Freddie Hubbard, George Freeman, Billy Branch and other respected jazz musicians.

Her journey to the Twin Cities began in 2005 when a relative needed a house-sitter during an out-of-state move. Pippi seized the opportunity, hoping that the cold Minnesota winter would encourage her to stay indoors and focus on songwriting. It wasn’t long before she headed out to explore the local arts and music scene.

“I was amazed!” said Ardennia. “I couldn’t believe there was so much culture here. I had thought it was all Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Prince, but the local arts and music scene’s deep roots are amazing and interconnected. I started going to the theater. It was wonderful.”

After looking at both cities, Pippi settled in St. Paul. She felt Minneapolis was trying too hard to be trendy, whereas St. Paul seemed authentic.

“It had its own feel, and ultimately I landed down here in Lowertown,” she said. “I didn’t even know it was an artist community when I moved in. I was so excited. I just love everything down here.”

When asked to name her favorite annual events in Lowertown she quickly rattles off the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Music in Mears, and the Blues Festival, each of whose stages she has graced. Ardennia has also appeared at the Dakota Jazz Club and is currently co-producing and starring in a concert series at the Landmark Center.

She remains excited about the Twin Cities’ music scene and the many opportunities it offers to young musicians.

“I was amazed that all these young kids had access to stages to perform,” she said. “In Chicago you have to pay your dues. You have to sit out in the audience, wait for one of the elders to call you up. There’s no practice, and you have to be ready to bring it. And if you mess up they’ll embarrass you on stage and sit you down until you are ready. Here, people don’t realize the opportunities they have.”

Pippi founded the PippJazz Foundation (www.pipjazz.org), a nonprofit, to help young musicians reach their full potential. The first concert series, PippJazz Live, debuted in June 2011. The program gives young musicians the opportunity to perform with premier Twin Cities jazz musicians pianist Peter Schimke, bassist Billy Peterson, guitarist Dean MacGraw and percussionist Marcus Wise, who make up the house band, as well as other guest musicians.

Local pianist and PippJazz alumni Jordan Anderson, who first played with the program at age 12, said, “I had a great time rehearsing and performing with Pippi and her band. I felt inspired with their words of encouragement and wisdom during the rehearsal. I am thankful to the band’s willingness to give their time to assist me. The chance to play and talk with pros makes me think that I could become one of them someday. What once seemed untouchable now seems achievable.”

Ardennia is not always soft on her participants, however.

“I wanted to put the kids here to task,” she said. “I wanted them to come on stage with these amazing musicians and listen carefully to the musical conversation. I’d tell them, ‘If you have something to say, say it, but if you haven’t got anything to say—shut up!’ What I want to relate to those young bloods out there is to relax and learn to bring what you are feeling.”

Ardennia recalled a conversation she had with the parents of a 14-year-old violinist after they first saw their daughter perform with professional musicians.

“We have never seen her play like that,” they told Ardennia after the show. “It was like she grew up and blossomed before our eyes.”

That experience proved to Ardennia that PippJazz is achieving its goals. The program has mentored nearly 30 teens and hosts a variety of workshops and events.

Perhaps the last word should come from local jazz elder and fellow PippJazz collaborator Ricky Peterson.

“The first time I met Pippi I knew I was in for a treat—then when I heard her sing, I nearly dropped,” he said. “She has her own unique style that has subtle hints of Carmen McRae and Billy Holiday. She will knock you out.”

Ardennia will perform with the Women in Jazz Band, Four Piece, and the PippJazz Allstars at the Motown Jazz Fest at 6 p.m., Friday, June 23, in Rice Park. Her album of original compositions and covers, “Love So Good 2,” is available on iTunes, Amazon Music and at facebook.com/pippifans.