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Psych Ward Nurse Turned Bandleader

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A woman stands outside with purplish hair and wearing a black jacket with a necklace.
At 78 years old, Jane Sorensen manages two popular cover bands in Sonoma County and sings with a third.  (Chloe Veltman/KQED)

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How a Santa Rosa Psych Ward Nurse Became One of the Bay Area’s Most Tenacious Bandleaders

We’ve been bringing you stories about Californians who are finding their passions, creating connections, and lifting up their communities. A few months ago, KQED culture reporter Chloe Veltman headed out with friends to a restaurant in the Sonoma County town of Guerneville. There was a cover band playing called “Suzi’s Last Resort.” Chloe was blown away by how charismatic and fun the group was, and got even more excited when she learned about the woman behind the music. How she started her showbiz career when she was pushing forty and how, at nearly eighty, she’s still at it. Chloe knew she had to track the bandleader down and bottle her magic.

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