Brother Rice-McAuley Band Hosts 'Ella and Louis' Jazz Fundraiser

CHICAGO, IL -- If you love jazz, an Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong tribute band will be putting on a benefit concert this Sunday, March 4, for the Brother Rice-Mother McAuley High School Band. The concert starts at 3 p.m. in the Mother McAuley Auditorium. “Ella & Louis Together Again” features the talents of Jazzlady Robin Watson and Will Washington aka Billy.

Audience members will be treated to a preview run before “Ella & Louis” hits the road for a New York City tour this spring. Jazzlady Robin Watson is a phenomenal vocalist who goes from Big Band Swing to the moving sultry sounds of a torche cabaret singer. Having done solo performances in North and South America, the United Nations and the Inauguration of President Carter, she is a hot commodity. Ella Fitzgerald’s birthday, by the way, is April 25, 1918.

Will Washington aka Billy is a trumpet/flugelhorn player, vocalist and band leader who was born into the Stellar Award Gospel choir of the Brunson and Thompson Community Singers. Robin and Will have performed throughout North and South America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Their centennial tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong sells out concert halls across the country.

Tickets to the concert are $20 for adults; $7 for students and children under 18. Seventy percent of the proceeds will go to the band programs at Brother Rice and McAuley. Purchase tickets online. Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School is located at 3737 W. 99th St., Chicago. For more information, call 773-822-1239 or shoot an email to robin@jazzladyrobin.com.

Image via Brother Rice-Mother McAuley Band