Kristin Korb 4/11-17
Bassist/vocalist Kristin Korb’s latest CD Sweet Dreams is a tribute to the music of The Eurythmics, an idea inspired by her being asked to be a part of a 2023 international Jazz Festival which had the theme of celebrating world-famous duos. Kristin was given a choice of focusing on the Carpenters or The Eurythmics and for multiple reasons, including that she felt it would be the more challenging of the two options, Kristin chose The Eurythmics.
I met Kristin Korb on a jazz cruise in 2009 and became fast friends. I’ve been on stage with another woman only a handful of times during my long career, so our sets were especially welcome. Playing with Kristin is great fun not only because of her deep swing feel and time, but because of her dedication to her craft and her determination to move through life with positivity and joy, a focus I admire and try to practice myself.
Julie Benko 4/18-24
Actor, singer and writer Julie Benko made that exciting understudy to star journey we all love with her celebrated turn as Fanny Brice in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl in 2022 when she stepped in and wowed critics and audiences alike. Her performance earned a Dorothy Loudon Award for excellence in Theatre, and the NY Times named her The Breakout Star in Theater in 2022.
I saw her onstage as Emma Goldman in the Broadway revival of Ragtime at Lincoln Center two days before this conversation, where we talked about her Broadway adventures and her latest CD Euphonic Gumbo, produced with her husband, jazz pianist Jason Yeager. Euphonic Gumbo celebrates Julie and Jason’s longtime love for New Orleans music.
Petra van Nuis & Dennis Luxion 4/25-5/1
Pianist Dennis Luxion and vocalist Petra van Nuis are a fascinating pairing of two very different personalities with a shared purpose in the music they choose to make, and the message they want to impart with it.
For the last six years, Petra and Dennis have had a weekly gig at Chicago’s Le Piano, an artsy club with a romantic vibe which perfectly suits what Dennis and Petra call the “Afterglow” set they play from 11:00pm to 1am. This time together has given them the chance to deepen their musical collaboration and broaden the repertoire they feel matches the late-night atmosphere, where listeners sometimes lay on the plush carpet under the piano, giving a whole other spin on getting into the music.
Brenda Earl Stokes 5/2-8
Canadian pianist and singer/songwriter, Brenda Earle Stokes’ latest CD, Motherhood explores the joys and challenges of that much celebrated but often under-appreciated role. Stokes lets her fellow mothers know they aren’t alone on this wild ride and clues in everyone else on what mothers are really thinking.
Brenda is a deep thinker and a rare lyricist who can translate those perspectives into moving, meaningful lyrics that enlighten and empower her listeners.
John Pizzarelli Two 5/9-15