Chicago a cappella delivers the smooth sounds of vocal jazz and a cappella pop in "Stormy Weather"

Chicago a cappella turns its talents to the art of vocal jazz and a cappella pop in three upcoming upcoming performances of “Stormy Weather." This is the ensemble’s first program devoted solely to American popular songs. The nine singers of the acclaimed group will bring their intimate blend and feel for sophisticated harmony to standards such as Cole Porter’s “Night and Day," George Gershwin’s “Summertime," and Hoagy Carmichael’s “The Nearness of You," as well as pop classics by Stevie Wonder and Brian Wilson. The finest a cappella arrangers in vocal jazz are represented, including Ward Swingle, Jennifer Shelton Barnes, and The Real Group’s Anders Edenroth. “Stormy Weather" will be an evening of pure enjoyment.

“Stormy Weather" takes place Saturday, March 2, 8:00 p.m., at Unity Temple, 875 Lake Street in Oak Park; Saturday, March 9, 8:00 p.m., at The Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St. in Chicago; and Sunday, March 10, 7:30 p.m., at Northwestern University’s Lutkin Hall, 700 University Place in Evanston.

American Standards, Served Up Fresh

In “Stormy Weather," Chicago a cappella will showcase some of the greatest standards of American song, all sung in beautiful and fresh a cappella arrangements. The nine singers will wrap their voices around the sinuous melody of Jerome Kern’s “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," the jaunty rhythm of Irving Berlin’s “Steppin’ Out with My Baby," and the familar strains of Rodgers and Hart’s “Blue Moon." Jazz fans will get their due, as the group sings Duke Ellington’s classic “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore," and Bill Evans’s “Waltz for Debby." The arrangements for the concert include charts by Ward Swingle, whose Swingle Singers re-defined jazz singing. Former Chicagoan Jennifer Shelton Barnes, a noted jazz singer herself, gives us a swinging vocal version of saxophonist Bob Berg’s jazz fusion “Kalimba." And Sweden’s sensational vocal quintet The Real Group provides us with inventive arrangements perfectly suited to the voices of Chicago a cappella.

An Evening in the Groove

While Chicago a cappella has defined itself as a primarily classical ensemble, the singers have always displayed remarkable versatility. The group’s arrangements of songs by Paul Simon, Lyle Lovett and k.d. lang have always been show-stoppers. Founder and artistic director Jonathan Miller states, “From the start, I always intended the group to sound convincing, no matter the style: Renaissance music, spirituals, Gregorian chant, and even vocal jazz. I have enjoyed the chance to dig deeply into the jazz and pop repertoire for this concert, and the singers sound terrific." Among the members of the group with extensive backgrounds in jazz and pop are soprano Kathleen Dietz, who has toured as backing vocalist for Kenny Rogers and sung with the adult-contemporary band Soleil Moon. Tenor Harold Brock and mezzo-soprano Amy Pickering perform regularly with the 80’s cover band “high in the lower 80’s." Baritone Matthew Greenberg has appeared with the pop quintet Table for Five, and mezzo-soprano Susan Lerner sang the world premiere of an original piece by award-winning Chicago jazz-blues composer Peter Saltzman. In addition to Jonathan Miller, who sings low bass, “Stormy Weather" will also feature mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Grizzell, tenor Erik Carlson, and baritone Aaron Johnson.

Chicago a cappella

Since the ensemble’s founding in 1993, Chicago a cappella has become known for its winning combination of superb ensemble singing, fascinating programs, and engaging performances. With nine gifted and flexible singers, the group delivers the purity of early music, the power and passion of spirituals, and the intricacies of vocal jazz with equal conviction and style. Under founder and artistic director Jonathan Miller, Chicago a cappella has recorded three CDs, including its latest release, “Go Down, Moses." Fanfare Magazine raved of the ensemble’s second CD (Forestier: Masses), “The nine voices that make up the group display all the professional attributes of world-class ensembles." And the Pioneer Press raved, “The voices of the singers are splendid....but best of all is the way the singers blend—silky smooth, with an effortless grace...."

Chicago a cappella, Jonathan Miller, director: “Stormy Weather"
Sat., 3/2/02, 8:00 pm, Unity Temple, 875 Lake Street, Oak Park
Sat., 3/9/02, 8:00 pm, Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St., Chicago
Sun., 3/10/02, 7:30 pm, Lutkin Hall, 700 University Place, Evanston
Tickets: $25 / $20 senior / $12 student / Group rates available
For tickets, call (773)755-1628 or 1-800-SING-WOW (800/746-4969).
More information and online ticket sales: www.chicagoacappella.org