Chicago a cappella Presents Big Band Music April 18 in Evanston

This spring, Chicago a cappella, an ensemble of 10 powerhouse vocalists, will amaze audiences as they present a lively evening of Big Band music — without the band!

“Swing, Swing, Swing: Music of the Big Band Era” will be performed at four locations throughout the Chicago area from April 18 to 26. Concerts will be held on April 18 in Evanston, April 19 in Naperville, April 25 in Oak Park, and April 26 in Chicago. Tickets are $35, $43 for preferred seating, $32 for seniors, and $20 for people under 30 years old.

In this exciting, all-vocal performance, audiences will get to travel back to the age of zoot suits and the Lindy hop, as the singers take on the irresistible rhythms and sentimental ballads of the 1930s and 40s from artists such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, and more.

The acclaimed ensemble will recreate classic songs like “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” “Sentimental Journey,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “Sing, Sing, Sing” and more, arranged for a cappella voices by Patrick Sinozich and prepared by Guest Music Director Paul Langford. From upbeat dance tunes to sentimental ballads, Chicago a cappella revitalizes the excitement of “Big Band” with phenomenal voices and a vibrant, contagious energy.

One of the highlights of this concert will be the final performance on Sunday, April 26 at Lincoln Hall in Chicago, where audience members are invited to come early and enjoy dinner and drinks before the show, and stay and enjoy this energetic show in a nightclub atmosphere. (Doors open at 5 p.m. for dinner and drinks.)

“Swing, Swing, Swing” also marks the group’s last show under the leadership of Chicago a cappella’s founder and Artistic Director, Jonathan Miller, who will officially be stepping down from his role after 27 seasons. Miller founded the group in 1993 and led its rehearsals for 14 seasons before stepping back to oversee programming and the artistic vision of the ensemble.

Swing, Swing, Swing: Music of the Big Band Era will take place:

• Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m. Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston
• Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m. Wentz Concert Hall on the campus of North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville
• Saturday, April 25 at 8 p.m. Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park
• Sunday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. [Venue opens at 5:00 p.m. for dinner and drinks]
  

Tickets are $35 for general admission, $43 for preferred seating, $32 for seniors and $20 for people under 30 years old. There is an additional $2 fee for each for tickets purchased at the door.

Tickets: (773) 281-7820 or online at www.chicagoacappella.org

About Chicago a cappella

Chicago a cappella is one of the area’s most accomplished and innovative vocal ensembles. Spanning a repertoire from Gregorian chant to the Beatles and beyond, the group is presenting its 27th season in 2019-20. Chicago a cappella presents an annual Chicago-area subscription series, creates studio recordings and broadcast-media musical content, produces educational outreach programming, and gives performances on tour and in special engagements. Long recognized for vocal virtuosity and innovative programming, the ensemble enjoys a reputation as a leader in the choral field. They have been acclaimed for their “clarity, well-balanced tone, and deep emotional involvement” (Washington Post) and “breathtaking ensemble and control” (American Organist). With more than 350 performances to its credit, Chicago a cappella has produced more than 200 concerts on its Chicago-based series. On tour, the group has appeared in 13 American states and in Mexico. The ensemble has been heard frequently on WFMT radio and through broadcasts distributed by American Public Media, including the nationally syndicated Performance Today. The ensemble has produced nine CD recordings of music ranging from Renaissance masses to contemporary works. Performing with an ensemble of 10 singers and no conductor, Chicago a cappella has been hailed as “the area’s best unaccompanied group” (Chicago Magazine) and “the city’s liveliest, most versatile vocal ensemble” (Chicago Tribune).