True Muse Music Series at RAVISLOE
along with media sponsor Chicago Jazz Magazine
presents
Rhythm, Rhyme & the Refrain
featuring
The Linda Solotaire Quintet's
Dreams of You, the Sun, the Moon and Johnny Mercer
with Stu Greenspan . guitar, Michael Levin . reeds,
John William Lauler . bass, Paul Cotton . percussion, Steve Strunk . drums
and Linda Solotaire . vocals
In Dreams of You, the Sun, the Moon and Johnny Mercer The Linda Solotaire Sextet embraces the dreamy world of one of America’s finest lyricists, Johnny Mercer. Jazz chanteuse Linda Solotaire is joined by arranger/guitarist Stu Greenspan, Michael Levin on saxes, flute and clarinet, John William Lauler on upright bass, percussionist Paul Cottonand Steve Strunk on drums.
The show takes us on a journey from early 20th Centrury affluent Savannah and all her hidden treasures, to depression era New York City where Mercer finds himself part of an explosion of creativity. Mercer's road brings us West to Hollywood, a perfect setting for realizing the very American Dream. This quietly passionate, charming Southern Gentleman was so well loved by everyone, sought by some of the greatest composers of his time, and enjoyed enormous professional success and public accolades - and yet still, sadly, was plagued by alcoholism and self doubt. Mercer's story personifies the social and cultural shifts and enormous growth that America experienced during his lifetime. Most importantly, his music became the music of the people, his songs gave voice to their longings, love, sorrow, joys in a familiar idiom that was down home and accessible.
The show was originally produced as part of the ongoing music series at the Open Door Repertory Theater in Oak Park. Curated in collaboration with Linda Solotaire, Rhythm, Rhyme & the Refrain, featured some of Chicago’s most highly acclaimed jazz artists. For the original Spring season, artists opened the pages of the Great American Songbook to present the words and music of some of America’s most celebrated composers and lyricists. “The Great American Songbook,” a hypothetical construct that seeks to represent the best American songs of the 20th century became (and remains) a vital part of the repertoire of jazz musicians.
ABOUT THE SERIES
TRUE MUSE MUSIC is a new concert series here in Homewood's lovely and unique Ravisloe Country Club. We are presenting events about once a month now thru April, at which time the series will pick up with concerts every other week through August. All performances are open to the puclic and appropriate for all ages.
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Linda Solotaire, Chanteuse
True Muse Productions
Ravisloe Country Club
Tickets are $18 online in advance
and $20 at the door