Neighbor News
Studio5 Celebrates Female Jazz Legends this Summer
Line-up includes a celebration of the music of Billie Holiday and Nancy Wilson, and performance by the all-female group The Oh Yeahs.
It’s the summer of women at Studio5, where they’ll be presenting music celebrating Billie Holiday and Nancy Wilson, two of the greatest female jazz musicians of all time, as well as original songs by up-and-coming female artists.
On June 28, three Chicago vocalists – Alyssa Allgood, Rose Colella and Elaine Dame – will present an evening of music by Grammy-winning singer Nancy Wilson, one of America’s most famous “song stylists” who recorded more than 70 albums performing jazz, blues, R&B and pop.
Then on July 12, the Metropolitan Jazz Octet and well-known Chicago singer Dee Alexander team up to present the music of Billie Holiday, in honor of the 60th anniversary of Holiday’s death. They’ll be performing some of Holiday’s famous swing standards, as well as some of her ballads, which they recently recorded for an upcoming album.
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“It is amazing how timeless the music of both Billie Holiday and Nancy Wilson is and how their music continues to inspire musicians today,” says Steve Rashid, co-founder of Studio5. “We think audiences will love hearing these powerhouse performers put their own spin on the music of these two iconic singers.”
But the summer isn’t all about honoring the past. It’s also about looking forward to the female artists of tomorrow. Studio5 will be presenting two concerts featuring up-and-coming female artists who are bridging the gap between jazz and pop -- Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Eva B. Ross, performing her own songs as well as jazz standards on June 15; and the all-female band The Oh Yeahs performing their unique mixture of folk, soul and jazz with vocal harmonies on July 26.
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The other musical acts this summer include saxophonist Sharel Cassity performing the music of Dave Brubeck with her husband, pianist Richard Johnson, and his quartet on Aug. 2 and Evanston jazz singer Petra Van Nuis performing with pianist Dennis Luxion on July 20.
In addition, Studio5 is pleased to bring back modern dance company Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, which will be presenting a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process for their piece, “American Catracho.” Audiences will be able to see a preview of the work, and then ask the artists questions about the piece and share their feedback.
“We held a similar type of event last summer and audiences loved getting an inside look at how modern dance is really made,” says Bea Rashid, co-founder of Studio5. “And we’re excited to bring Cerqua Rivera back again in September to present the entire show.”
Advanced tickets are now on sale for the summer shows at http://studio5.dance/.
Studio5
Where: 1934 Dempster St., Evanston, IL 60202
Info: 847-328-6683 or http://studio5.dance/
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 15 – Eva B. Ross
8 p.m.
Talented young singer-songwriter Eva B. Ross is an active artist on the L.A. music scene whose songs are poetic, insightful, melodious and memorable. She will be performing a mix of her own songs and jazz standards, and will be on stage with Steve Rashid, Robert Rashid and Grant Milliken. This concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB.
Tickets: $20 for general seating, $25 for cabaret seating
June 26 – Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre: Inside/Out with American Catracho
7 p.m.
See modern dancers perform on stage with live jazz musicians in this unique, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the choreography process. Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre will present a preview of “American Catracho,” their epic suite about immigration, three years in the making. After the brief introduction to the full work, the artists will discuss how the piece was made and ask for audience feedback. The company will return to present the full piece at Studio5 in September 2019.
Tickets: $8 in advance, $15 at the door
June 28 – Nancy Wilson Tribute
8 p.m.
A trio of great Chicago jazz singers -- Alyssa Allgood, Rose Colella and Elaine Dame -- celebrate the five-decade career of Nancy Wilson, one of America’s most treasured “song stylists.” Revered by millions around the world and labeled a “complete entertainer,” Wilson recorded more than 70 albums and won three Grammy Awards. Her soulful style and powerful stage presence catapulted her to fame in many genres including not only jazz, but also blues, R&B and pop. Allgood, Colella and Dame will commemorate her storied career in an evening of exquisite melodies and musical storytelling. This concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB.
Tickets: $20 for general seating, $25 for cabaret seating
July 12 – Metropolitan Jazz Octet with Dee Alexander
8 p.m.
On the 60th anniversary of Billie Holiday’s death, the Metropolitan Jazz Octet has teamed up with dynamic jazz vocalist Dee Alexander to perform music from their upcoming album Dee Sings Billie, a reimagining of classic Billie Holiday songs. They’ll be performing some of Holiday’s swing standards such as “The Blues Are a Brewin’,” “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” and iconic ballads like “I’m a Fool To Want You” and Billie’s famous “Strange Fruit.” This concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB.
Tickets: $20 for general seating, $25 for cabaret seating
July 20 – Petra Van Nuis and Dennis Luxion
8 p.m.
Pianist Dennis Luxion is best known for being Chet Baker’s pianist in the 1980s, and vocalist Petra Van Nuis is best known for performing in a duo with her husband, Andy Brown. In this performance, Van Nuis and Luxion will perform music from their October 2018 album, Because We’re Night People, a collection of evening-related songs. This concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB.
Tickets: $20 for general seating, $25 for cabaret seating
July 26 – The Oh Yeahs
8 p.m.
Exquisite young performer Sarah Marie Young joins Allison Orobia and Leslie Beukelman in this group called The Oh Yeahs, where they all sing and play instruments. The three women come from diverse folk/soul/jazz backgrounds, with a common language of vocal harmony. Performing a combination of original songs and covers, the group promises an evening filled with great tunes and fun times. This concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB.
Tickets: $20 for general seating, $25 for cabaret seating
Aug. 2 – Richard D. Johnson Quartet with Sharel Cassity
8 p.m.
Jazz pianist and singer Richard Johnson, joins his wife, saxophonist Sharel Cassity, to perform music from Dave Brubeck’s iconic Time Out album. Johnson was a former member of Wynton Marsalis’ Septet and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and Cassity is a Julliard graduate and member of the Dizzy Gillespie Afro Cuban Experience and more. This concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB.
Tickets: $20 for general seating, $25 for cabaret seating
About Studio5
Studio5 is a performing arts venue that opened in Evanston in 2016, bringing professional dance, music, and spoken word events to a 123-seat theater. Founded and curated by Dance Center Evanston director Béa Rashid and Emmy-award winning composer and jazz musician Steve Rashid, Studio5 provides North Shore arts-goers with a venue that is both state-of-the-art and intimate, connecting audiences and artists. Studio5 boasts great sight lines; comfortable seats; excellent sound; ample, free parking; and a cash bar that opens a half an hour before each performance.
