​Studio5 Presents Music of Billie Holiday, Blues Legend Corky Siegel

Evanston, Ill. — Studio5 is pleased to welcome back some Chicago jazz legends — including the Metropolitan Jazz Octet, Joel Paterson, Steve Million and Dee Alexander performing the music of Billie Holiday— and some rising stars to the local jazz scene to the stage this spring.

One of the most anticipated concerts will take place on April 7 when the Metropolitan Jazz Octet will team up with Alexander, one of Chicago’s most well-known jazz vocalists, to perform music from their new album, It’s Too Hot for Words, a reimagining of classic Billie Holiday songs — played on what would have been Holiday’s 108th birthday. 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 Holiday’s famous “Strange Fruit.”

Then, later that same month, the Metropolitan Jazz Octet returns again on April 21 to reprise their sold-out show from February, where they performed jazz versions of David Bowie songs with singer Paul Marinaro, off their joint new album, The Bowie Project.

Several up-and-coming jazz performers will also be featured this spring, including singer Alyssa Allgood on March 24, who was named the Best Jazz Entertainer at the Chicago Music Awards in 2019, and jazz musician and composer Thaddeus Tukes on May 19.

In addition to jazz, Studio5 will also be presenting a blues concert on May 26 featuring Corky Siegel, one of the world’s great blues harmonica players, blues pianist and singer, who writes his own songs that weave blues and classical forms together. In this concert, he’ll be performing with legendary saxophonist Ernie Watts, a two-time Grammy winner who played for 20 years in “The Tonight Show” band with Doc Severinsen for Johnny Carson.

Tickets for all shows range from $25 to $45, depending on the date. For tickets, please visit https://www.studio5.dance/calendar1.

STUDIO5 SPRING EVENTS

March 3 — The Joel Paterson Quartet

8 p.m.

Guitar virtuoso Joel Paterson explores the retro sounds of rockabilly, jazz, country, western swing and more. Howard Reich (Chicago Tribune) said this about The Modern Sounds: “Retro never sounded so appealing. Maybe that’s because guitarist Joel Paterson doesn’t regard the mid-20th century songs as historic repertoire. Instead, he addresses classic country, blues and Tin Pan Alley tunes as timeless works that reward repeated listening.” This concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB.

Tickets: $25 for general admission, $35 for cabaret seating

March 24 — The Alyssa Allgood Quartet

8 p.m.

Don’t miss stellar vocalist Alyssa Allgood, who was named the Best Jazz Entertainmer at the Chicago Music Awards in 2019 and won the Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Voice Competition in 2017. Her quartet’s music is rooted in the classic jazz tradition, but she brings a modern flair through innovative, high-energy arrangements. She’ll be performing material from her album, Exactly Like You, as well as original pieces. This concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB.

Tickets: $25 for general admission, $35 for cabaret seating

March 31 — John Moulder’s “Earthborn Tales of Soul and Spirit”

8 p.m.

Guitarist/composer John Moulder spotlights music from his “Earthborn Tales of Soul and Spirit,” a work originally commissioned by the Jazz Institute of Chicago for a featured performance in the Made in Chicago concert series in Millennium Park. The music blends a traditional rhythm section and horns with the addition of vibes (Thaddeus Tukes) and Indian percussion (Kalyan Pathak). The piece features musical portraits of diverse figures who have influenced Moulder, including John Coltrane, Ruby Bridges and Thomas Merton. This concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB.

Tickets: $35 for general admission, $45 for cabaret seating

April 7 – Tribute to Billie: Metropolitan Jazz Octet with Dee Alexander

8 p.m.

The Metropolitan Jazz Octet teams up with dynamic jazz vocalist Dee Alexander to perform music from their album, It’s Too Hot for Words, a reimagining of classic Billie Holiday songs – played on Holiday’s birthday. 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: $35 for general seating, $45 for cabaret seating

April 21 — The Bowie Project: The Metropolitan Jazz Octet Featuring Paul Marinaro

8 p.m.

Stellar vocalist Paul Marinaro and the Metropolitan Jazz Octet, under the direction of Jim Gailloreto, team up to explore the music of David Bowie. Both artists aim to reinterpret Bowie’s music without replicating it, honoring Bowie's lyrics and melodic/harmonic complexity while using the nimble octet palette to paint with intimate, nuanced colors. This concert will celebrate the release of their new recording and will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB.

Tickets: $35 for general admission, $45 for cabaret seating

April 28 — Steve Million “JazzWords” Quintet with Sarah Marie Young

8 p.m.

One of the most sought-after jazz pianists in Chicago and a formidable composer, Steve Million was influenced by everyone from John Mayall to Thelonious Monk. He recently released a gorgeous recording of his original pieces called JazzWords, featuring vocalist Sarah Marie Young, and this concert will feature songs from that album. The concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB.

Tickets: $25 for general admission, $35 for cabaret seating

May 5 — Petra’s Recession Seven

8 p.m.

Wonderful vocalist Petra van Nuis created her Recession Seven in 2008 for performances at the Green Mill. Come hear them perform songs from the Great American Songbook, with Art Davis on trumpet, Eric Schneider on reeds, Russ Phillips on trombone, Andy Brown on guitar, Dan DeLorenzo on bass, and Bob Rummage on drums. The Chicago Tribune praised Petra for her "interpretive savvy ... light-and-silvery vocals and, better still, saucy manner of delivery that emphasizes the art of the double entendre." This concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB.

Tickets: $25 for general admission, $35 for cabaret seating

May 19 — Thaddeus Tukes Quintet

8 p.m.

The Chicago Tribune says musician and composer Thaddeus Tukes "brings poetry to the vibraphone." Thaddeus showed prodigious musical talent at a young age and was awarded the ILMEA top high school vibraphonist in the state at 16. He is a graduate of Whitney Young High School and Northwestern University, where he pioneered the first degree in jazz vibraphone studies. Thaddeus is a Luminarts fellow, Vivian K Harsh Society Awardee, and president of his new record label, Vibestown Studios. He currently performs as a bandleader and special guest with various ensembles throughout the country.

This concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB.

Tickets: $25 for general admission, $35 for cabaret seating

May 26 — Corky Siegel and Ernie Watts

8 p.m.

Corky Siegel is known internationally as one of the world’s great blues harmonica players, as well as a blues pianist, singer and writer of unusual songs, a Chamber Blues progenitor and sole pioneer/composer of award-winning revolutionary works that weave blues and classical forms together. In this concert, he’ll be performing with legendary saxophonist Ernie Watts, a two-time Grammy winner who played for 20 years in “The Tonight Show” band with Doc Severinsen for Johnny Carson, toured with the Rolling Stones, and recorded with everyone from Marvin Gaye to Dizzy Gillespie to Paul McCartney and more. This concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB.

Tickets: $35 for general admission, $45 for cabaret seating

Tickets are now on sale at http://studio5.dance/.

Studio5
Where: 1934 Dempster St., Evanston, IL 60202
Info: 847-328-6683 or http://studio5.dance/

About Studio5
Studio5 is a performing arts venue that opened in Evanston in 2016, bringing professional dance, music, and spoken word events to a 128-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.