Music 2013 Schedule

Tuesday, June 4
6 – 8 p.m.

Paulinho Garcia (guitar/vocals), Geraldo de Oliveira, and Heitor Garcia (percussion) come from the same Brazilian city, Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais). Paulinho has been playing with Geraldo for more than 45 years and with Heitor, his brother, since he first began playing music. Paulinho Garcia, the group leader, performs at many well-known jazz festivals, theaters, jazz cruises, and jazz venues around the world. He is also a music educator, on faculty at Roosevelt University and the Old Town School of Folk Music. Among his awards are: Chicago's Best Jazz Entertainer, 2002; Brazilian Person of the Year, 2010; Chicagoan of the Year in Jazz, 2010; and, most recently, Brazilian Best Vocalist, 2012. This trio brings to you the authentic and official Brazilian rhythm, the samba.

Thursday, June 6
6 – 8 p.m.

Morry Sochat and The Special 20's bring a fresh sound to the Chicago blues scene. They mix classic Chicago blues with swing and rock-and-roll. They’re influenced by the best in blues history: Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Louis Jordan, Junior Wells, and all of the Chicago greats.

Nicolle Wood was at the forefront of the Swing dance and music revival in the mid 1990's and has been teaching and dancing ever since. Teaching and performing internationally and coordinating events steeped in vintage American culture has become a way of life.

Tuesday, June 11
10 - 11 a.m.

Performing as part of the Caminos del Inka project, Marguerite and Jessica will present music of South America for flute and harp duo including music of composers Broeders, Garrido-Lecca, Piazzola and Tamez. Harpist Marguerite Lynn Williams is the principal harpist of the Chicago Lyric Opera as well as founder of the Chicago Harp Quartet and Chicago Harp Ensemble (student training ensemble). Jessica Warren-Acosta is principal flutist of the Quad Cities Symphony as well as an international concert soloist and member of the Caminos del Inka ensemble.

Wednesday, June 12
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Laura Doherty will acoustically rock your kid's world with her breezy folk-pop tunes for the whole family, using Chicago as her inspiration. Her treasured “Chicago Hot Dog” song and “El Train” song have become highly requested kid classics at her shows!

Katherine Zhou, Chicago, IL
Monday, June 17, 7 p.m.
Preconcert carillon tours and demonstrations 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (every 15 minutes)

Katherine Zhou was a member of the Yale University Guild of Carillonneurs until last year, when she graduated with a B.S. in molecular biophysics and biochemistry.  She is now a first-year student in the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Chicago.

Tuesday, June 18
6 – 8 p.m.

The JoeSounds Steel Drum Trio has been performing in the Chicago area for more than 20 years. Led by steel drummer Joe Sonnefeldt, the group blends traditional calypso music with other styles of the Caribbean as well as American jazz and pop. The trio has entertained audiences on Lake Michigan cruises, at area festivals, and private functions throughout the Midwest.

Thursday, June 20
6 – 8 p.m.

Three of Chicago's most seasoned Irish traditional musicians came together in 2005 to form The Boils, a high-energy trio delivering a potent blend of jigs and reels, as well as songs. Featuring Jim Conway on harmonica and tin whistle, Jack Callahan on guitar and vocals, and Mike Austin on bodhran and percussion, The Boils possess a deep respect for traditional style but also infuse that tradition with their own interpretation of the music, reflecting their Irish-American heritage. Before coming together, the muscians performed and recorded with some of the world’s top Irish musicians in venues spanning the United States and Europe.

Tuesday, June 25
10 - 11 a.m.

The Highland Park Strings Trio presents a program called " The Magic Carpet." The trio of violin, viola, and cello play light classical music from around the world including waltzes from Vienna, Greek dances, trios of Schubert and Haydn, Italian love songs and favorites from the American songbook.

Wednesday, June 26
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Join Rebecca Stoelinga, a Deerfield native, for an engaging, high-energy show for the entire family. Super Stolie encourages children to embrace their own uniqueness by singing, dancing, hopping, balancing, and trying an awesome rock star jump! Super Stolie's captivating show will engage kids of all ages, getting the whole family to sing along and skip away with tunes in their heads and positive messages!

Povl Christian Balslev, Svendborg, Denmark
Monday, July 1, 7 p.m.
Preconcert carillon tours and demonstrations 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (every 15 minutes)

Povl Christian Balslev has given organ, carillon, and chamber music concerts in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, The Netherlands, Austria, France, Spain, Italy, England, Japan, and the U.S.  He is the composer of music for church, theater, opera, and film. Previously, Balslev was the assistant organist at St. Markus church in Copenhagen, an organ instructor at Sjællands Kirkemusikskole, and organist at Otterup church. He is now an organ instructor at the Løgumkloster church music school and music director, cantor, and carillonneur in Our Lady´s church in Svendborg, Denmark.  He is also the author of a book about the Danish composer Thorvald Aagaard and his relationship with the composer Carl Nielsen.

Tuesday, July 2
6 – 8 p.m.

The Van Dril Quintet is composed of five alumni from Naperville North High School. They have been playing jazz together for a little more than three years. Recently, they have performed at Millennium Park, the Naperville Jazz Festival, and many other private events including the opening ceremony for Astellas in Northbrook, IL. As they journey through their college careers they continue to make music with each other. Personnel: Austin Simon; trombone, Jenna Przybysz; alto saxophone, Adam Quetsch; bass, Sean Van Dril; piano, and Grant Taylor; drums.

Thursday, July 4
6 – 8 p.m.

Lamajamal's sound is a unique blend of Balkan, Gypsy, Arabic, and North African dance music. Their exciting live performances feature Middle Eastern vocals, serpentine clarinet melodies, exotic instruments, and infectious dance beats.

Erika Ochoa is a contemporary artist of Middle Eastern dance, specializing in Egyptian-style dance. She has been dancing professionally in the Chicago area for the past 15 years. She teaches weekly at the Old Town School of Folk Music and at her own studio called Pineapple Dance Studio in Forest Park, Illinois.

Tuesday, July 9
10 - 11 a.m.

Rooted in the classical guitar tradition, the Avanti Trio performs an eclectic variety of music including repertoire from the Renaissance through 21st century. Avanti members have studied and graduated from some of our country’s most prestigious music conservatories and universities including the Yale School of Music, Northwestern University, and the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.  Each has performed as a soloist throughout the country; and all are currently teaching in Chicago area universities.

Wednesday, July 10
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Istvan & His Imaginary Band present an irresistible mix of interactive rock ‘n’ roll, country, pop, punk, and sing-alongs that get heads bobbing. Audience members are often invited to participate, whether by playing freeze dance, singing along from the stage, or ringing out the rhythm on a tambourine. From strumming a solo on the acoustic guitar to dynamic duos and trios or to the full, five-piece rocking band, it's not surprising why Istvan & His Imaginary Band have become kid and family music favorites.

Vera Wünsche, Salt Lake City, Utah
Monday, July 15, 7 p.m.
Preconcert carillon tours and demonstrations 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (every 15 minutes)

Vera Wünsche began her carillon studies and became a member of the Yale Guild of Carillonneurs in 2008. She served as the Guild’s co-chair during her junior and senior years. She graduated from Yale in 2012 with a B.S. in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology.  She currently works as a research assistant in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She is a carillonneur member of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, having passed the GCNA’s advancement recital in 2012 at Clemson University, South Carolina.

Tuesday, July 16
10 - 11 a.m.

The chamber musicians from the Midwest Young Artists conservatory are high school students, some of whom travel from as far west as California and as far east as Boston to attend summer studies at the MYA Center in Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Of the more than 65 chamber groups trained at MYA annually, the majority focus on performing staples of the classic repertoire. Every year however, MYA hosts a composition contest in which chamber groups perform world premieres of newly composed works by their peers. MYA chamber groups perform free concerts during the season at Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall and around the community.

Thursday, July 18
6 – 8 p.m.

Aloha Lives! Is our newest production by Pacific Soundz. Lanialoha combines the influences of her musical paths and passions to revive the old and new cultural traditions of the Pacific. She performs a seamless and memorable concert of melodies, harmonies and rhythmic sounds, that will inspire you.

Tuesday, July 23
6 – 8 p.m.

Their name, Montana Skies, is a metaphor for musical freedom, and they continue to follow their creative instincts far beyond traditional boundaries. In concert, these award-winning musicians delve into music from Pink Floyd and Rush to Vivaldi, and House of the Rising Sun, as well as their own originals that have been featured everywhere from NPR to the Travel Channel. Montana Skies’ seemingly nonstop tour schedule has taken them all across the United States as well as to Canada, Asia, and Russia. Their dedication to their musical vision has helped them build an enthusiastic grassroots fan base along the way. Combining elements of classical technique, jazz improv, and the power and energy of rock n' roll. Jonathan's guitar wizardry and Jenn's blazing electric cello combine to create a sound that is truly remarkable. While the music defies simple categorization, it is a fusion in the truest sense of the word. It's been called everything from chamber rock to psychedelic strings.

Wednesday, July 24
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Human Tim + Robot-Tim have been making music for small humans and their grown-ups since 2009. Human-Tim mostly plays the guitar and sings, while Robot-Tim mostly pushes buttons and dances.  Aided by some talented friends, they play family-friendly, indie-rockin', slightly twangy electro-folk music.

John Widmann, Frederick, MD
Monday, July 29, 7 p.m.
Preconcert carillon tours and demonstrations 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (every 15 minutes)

John Widmann is the city carillonneur for the City of Frederick, MD, where he plays recitals on the first and third Sunday of each month. In addition he serves as a general/vocal music teacher for Frederick County Public Schools and as organist and director of music for Geneva Presbyterian Church in Potomac, MD.  Widmann graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in music education, and completed his master of music degree from Towson University in 2011.  He became a carillonneur member of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America in 1996.  He maintains an active concert schedule, and played recitals last year in the U.S. and Europe.

Tuesday, July 30
6 – 8 p.m.

Sunnyside Up is a three-piece Chicago string band that draws in listening audiences with an expertly crafted mixture of bluegrass, swing, fiddle music, and songwriting. At the dawn of the 21st century when new musical labels like Alt-Country and Americana were young, these guys got the bug to put together an alt-string band. Cathy Godfrey from Trib Local says “Sunnyside Up rivals any of the headliner bluegrass bands that I saw at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival” and columnist/barndance caller Eric Zorn says "…amazingly good music. I've called to hundreds of bands over the years and [Sunnyside Up] is something special.”

Thursday, August 1
6 – 8 p.m.

The Volo Bogtrotters have been the Midwest's foremost old-time string band since 1985. They play country music from the last century and traditional square-dance tunes learned directly from elder fiddlers in Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri. After a hiatus of few years, the Volos have reunited to bring a new generation with the joys of old-time music.

Tuesday, August 6
10 - 11 a.m.

Multi-instrumentalist Joel Styzens' forthcoming album includes "a brilliant collection of new works inspired by the Botanic Garden" (Time Out Chicago) that feature individual gardens including the English Walled Garden, Waterfall Garden, Japanese Garden, and Heritage Garden. These compositions feature cellist Sophie Webber from Oxford, England, with arrangements for guitar, hammered dulcimer, piano, and string-quintet. Relax Your Ears, Styzens's "exquisite debut album" (Time Out) earned "Best Classical Pick" from CD Baby and has been featured on NPR.  Also an activist for tinnitus and hearing conservation awareness, Styzens is an instructor at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.

Wednesday, August 7
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

At this kids concert, families can experience the unique live music of Chicago's Little Miss Ann Band — led by a mother, Old Town School of Folk Music teacher, and one of Chicago's Most Influential Kids Musicians as voted by the readers of Time Out Chicago. The Little Miss Ann Band performs a mix of folk-rock music — both traditional songs and new ones, filled with rich vocals and a beautiful mix of simple instrumentation.

Lisa Lonie and Janet Tebbel, Philadelphia, PA
Monday, August 12, 7 p.m.
Preconcert carillon tours and demonstrations 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (every 15 minutes)

Lisa Lonie performs regularly on the oldest carillon (1882) in North America, located at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia. Also, she is the carillonneur at St. Thomas' Church, Whitemarsh and Princeton University. Previously, she was the carillonneur of the Schneider Carillon at Trinity Church in Holland, PA.  She is a carillonneur member of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America (GCNA), the former chair of its Examinations Committee, and has served on its Board of Directors. Lonie began her carillon studies at the Washington Memorial National Carillon in Valley Forge. Known for her musical wit and creative programming, she is a frequent recitalist throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and has performed in internationally acclaimed carillon festivals. Lonie is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with dual degrees in German and economics.  Besides her musical interests, she is an executive assistant at Salus University.

Tuesday, August 13
10 - 11 a.m.

Russian-born Chicago-based cellist and composer Ian Maksin is quickly gaining international recognition for his beautiful tone and distinct style as well as his uniquely charismatic way with the audience. He performs more than 100 concerts annually in the United States and Europe, and his performances have been broadcast on NPR, PBS, as well as on national radio and TV in many European countries. In Chicago, Maksin has been a frequent guest on WFMT, WBEZ, and Chicago Tonight. Several of his performances made the Critic’s Pick of the Time Out Magazine.  In 2012, he was named “Citizen Musician” by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for his contribution to the city’s musical life and the community engagement. Outside his career as a classical musician, he has collaborated with such artists as Andrea Bocelli, Sting, Gloria Estefan, and many others.

Wednesday, August 14
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Chicago’s favorite family band makes super-rockin’, positive music at family friendly volumes.  Their repertoire includes outstanding originals and a trove of classic tunes, bridging genres from swing to rock to samba.  Be prepared for memorable sing-a-longs, thumping rhythms and high energy call and response!

More information

Dick van Dijk, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Monday, August 19, 7 p.m.
Preconcert carillon tours and demonstrations 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (every 15 minutes)

Dick van Dijk plays the organ in the Torenplein church in Vleuten (Bätz 1810), the Lebuïnus church in Blauwkapel (Van den Eynde 1711), and in Wijk bij Duurstede (Kiespenning 1631).  He is also a freelance carillonneur. He studied carillon at the Dutch Carillon School in Amersfoort in the Netherlands. He currently studies at the Royal Carillon School in Mechelen, Belgium. He is active in the Utrecht Bellringers Guild, and in recent years has contributed to the realization of the new Petit & Fritsen carillon in the Torenplein church in Vleuten.  In recognition of his merits for the art of the carillon, he was appointed a member of the Order of Orange Nassau in 2009. He works as a business architect for the Dutch National Railways.

Tuesday, August 20
6 - 8 p.m.

Blues guitarist, bandleader, and producer Dave Specter has earned an international reputation as one of the premier young talents on the Chicago blues scene. Since 1985, Specter has performed regularly at top Chicago blues and jazz clubs in addition to festivals and concert halls throughout the United States. Since 1989, Specter has toured internationally and behind such blues greats as Son Seals, The Legendary Blues Band, Hubert Sumlin, Sam Lay, and Steve Freund. Specter has also performed and recorded with such blues and jazz artists as Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Jimmy Johnson, Jack McDuff, Johnny Adams, Snooky Pryor, and more. Specter has recently performed in France, Argentina, Israel, and Hawaii and appeared on more than 35 CDs and DVDs.

Thursday, August 22
6 – 8 p.m.

The Mike Knauf Quartet has been delighting audiences for over 15 years. The quartet has performed for many dances, parties, events, and festivals. Knauf and his quartet members have performed nationally and internationally with some of the biggest names in music. The performers draw from a diverse repertoire of swing, Latin, and standards from some of America's finest composers for your dancing and listening pleasure.

Louie Stallone has been dancing since 1985 with contra, Cajun, swing, and contact improv — a post-modern dance form. He started teaching swing dancing in 1992 and added Cajun dancing in 1997. During the day you can find him teaching line dancing and tai chi for the Chicago Department on Aging. You can also find Stallone teaching Cajun and zydeco with the City of Chicago’s Summerdance Festival. He hopes to see you on the dance floor!

Tuesday, June 4 and Tuesday, August 27
10 - 11 a.m.

Alexandros Pirillis has been playing the violin for 32 years. He is also a contemporary classical composer, violist, cellist, and a mechanical engineer. His music is popular with all age groups and is influenced by classical, Italian, Irish/Celtic, Greek, and Romanian music. Pirillis has a unique style that is soothing, inspiring, and powerful. He will be performing music from his own albums on the violin and the cello.

Wednesday, August 28
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Miss Aimee Leigh has been thrilling audiences with her hilarious, high-energy children's songs for over a decade. A talented guitar player with a beautiful voice, she will get the crowd moving with her American folk/roots, jazz, and bluegrass music. She has a huge repertoire of original and traditional children's music that will have the whole family dancing and singing along!