Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues

Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues Featuring Ernie Watts and Lynne Jordan FEBRUARY 29@ 8p Tickets start at $25* Jazz and classical music mingle with Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues featuring Ernie Watts and Lynne Jordan! Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues, with the West End String Quartet, and Kalyan “Johnny Bongo” Pathak virtuoso on world percussion, blends classical and blues styles in a chamber music setting. This ground breaking innovative sound has earned tremendous acclaim throughout the country and continues to open new doors for classical and blues/jazz listeners alike. Two-time Grammy-winning legend, jazz music icon, Ernie Watts is considered by "All About Jazz" to be: "one of the greatest living saxophonists at the top of his game.” Watts joins forces with Chicago Blues Hall of Fame harmonica legend and “national treasure” Corky Siegel with his “dazzling" Chamber Blues and bodacious vocal diva Lynne Jordan. Ernie Watts is one of the most versatile and prolific saxophone players in music. It has been more than 55 years since he first picked up a saxophone, and from age 16 on he has been playing professionally. Watts has been featured on over 500 recordings by artists ranging from Cannonball Adderley to Frank Zappa. What Other People Have Been Saying… “If you haven't become a fan of Ernie Watts yet, it's time to get on the bandwagon. His savvy, tasteful, fully flowered music stands apart from his contemporaries, previous masters, and those burgeoning players claiming Coltrane as a major influence. In short, he's the very best at what he does -- which in itself is a proven, time-tested commodity." - All Music Review The Star Tribune says: "(Ernie) Watts and (Corky) Siegel Excite the Audience ... more than one standing ovation during the unforgettable evening." “Gritty Chicago blues and rarefied classical chamber music might not seem like a match made in heaven — until you’ve heard Corky Siegel bring the two together … a crowning achievement.” – Chicago Tribune “… Fantastic … I’ve never heard anyone play harp with this much body and harmonic delicacy … I guarantee you’ve never heard anything quite like it.” – Stereophile Magazine In a city brimming with classic blues and jazz divas, Lynne Jordan stands apart. Not only do her soaring vocals dip effortlessly into blues, jazz, funk, rock and even country but her bawdy personality wins over any crowd. Her talent so dazzled the Second City that the late Chicago film critic Roger Ebert declared her his “favorite diva.” “Lynne Jordan is a high-voltage blues-belter who blends the bawdy humor of Bette Midler with a gospel-tinged delivery reminiscent of Patti LaBelle.” -CHICAGO TRIBUNE Corky Siegel is of course, the Chamber Blues progenitor, co-founder of the Siegel-Schwall Band, and member of the all-star Chicago Blues Reunion. He is the award-winning composer (of chamber and symphonic music) who, at a very young age, learned his craft at the feet of such legendary first generation bluesmen as Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. With his band Siegel-Schwall, he is credited with moving the blues from smokey clubs onto the classical symphony concert stage and obliterating musical categorization in the process Corky has earned an international reputation as one of the world’s great blues harmonica masters. He is a composer, blues pianist, singer / songwriter, and recent winner of the Lila Wallace/Reader’s Digest/Meet the Composer’s National Award for chamber music composition and the Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Award for Music Composition, Chicago Lifetime Achievement Award, and Chicago Blues Hall of Fame. After a performance of Chamber Blues at the famed Minneapolis Dakota Jazz Club the Pioneer Press begged the reader: "...do your eyes and ears a favor, go see this show…" And they went on to say: [Chamber Blues] "… had otherwise dignified people stomping their feet and letting out whoops of sheer joy." Genre: Music Rating: PG Time: 90 minutes *Additional fees and restrictions may apply. Prices may vary depending on zone. Student tickets must be purchased through Raue Box Office (not available online). Please note, a $7 facility fee will be added to all orders.