SUNDAY, JULY 6, 2014 — 10am to Noon -Tune In!

Please tune in this Sunday, when Linda Tate and I join David Edward Sims on his show about "Women in Jazz" - I can't wait! More than talk… music, conversation, and imagination! CABOCHON JAZZ RADIO with David Edward Sims SUNDAYS on RADIO DEPAUL www.radio.depaul.edu ___________________________ SUNDAY, JULY 6, 2014 — 10:00 a.m. to noon Central Time Special Guests LINDA SOLOTAIRE and LINDA TATE — “Women in Jazz” What’s great about being a woman in jazz? What aspects could use a little improvement? We’ll cover the topic in depth with the help of my charming and talented in-studio guests singer/producer LINDA SOLOTAIRE and singer/songwriter LINDA TATE. We’ll share their latest work, and listen to a 1962 interview with CARMEN McRAE on the subject of jazz singing. An original spoken performance piece is presented in the last half hour. Do tune in!

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Women in Jazz

True Muse presents Women in Jazz: Part 1 June 14, 20 & 21 at the Open Door Theatre. Oak Park, IL - This June 14, 20 & 21 True Muse Productions, along with media sponsors 90.9 FM WDCB, and Chicago Jazz Magazine, in collaboration with Open Door Repertory Company, present “Women In Jazz: Part 1” - celebrating women instrumentalists, vocalists, composers and lyricists on the current Chicago jazz scene, and those written out of history. All shows are at 8pm, tickets are $18 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at the box office on the night of the performance and also online at OpenDoorRep.org. For information and tickets call 708.342.0810.

Kimberly Gordon opens the series on Saturday, June 14th, with her one woman show "In a Man's World.” Kimberly's one-woman show accompanied by Ron Perrillo on piano will be focusing on Irene Kitchings the wonderful lyricist who was best friends with Billy Holiday and Carmen McRae. Music stories and history all come together in the stage production.

On Friday, June 20th, see Linda Tate’s “Geography, her fourth album, is the first to exclusively feature Tate’s own compositions, which offer an eclectic but unified vision...Geography marks Tate’s continued growth as a singer: with each album she emerges as an even more compelling and self-assured performer, by turns kittenish, sharp, sexy, and soulful, and fully equipped to convey all the moods and meanings in her songs” says Neil Tesser, Grammy Award winning jazz journalist, Chicagomusic.org. The Linda Tate Geography Quintet will feature vocalist Linda Tate, Bobby Schiff on Piano, bassist Marlene Rosenberg, Jim Widlowski on drums and percussion and Steve Eisen on tenor sax and flute.

Closing Part 1 of the series on Saturday, June 21st, is the multitalented Lise Gilly and her Grupo Cha Cha’s "The Lovely Ladies of Latin Jazz" - guaranteed to stir your emotions and get you on your feet! Go on a cultural journey through the rich and often unsung history of female Latin composers, featuring classic Cuban love songs of Olga de Blanck, Marta Valdez and La Lupe, tangos by Eloisa de Silva, through the contemporary energetic Salsa/Son Montuno sounds of Rebecca Mauleon and sambas from Eliane Elias and former New York Philharmonic composer-in-residence Tania Leon. The show will also have offerings from Grupo Cha Cha’s female composers Janet Cramer, Lise Gilly, Stacy McMichael and Diana Mosquera, whose recent compositions have been getting FM radio airplay from Boston to San Francisco and international markets in Canada, Colombia and France. Grupo Cha Cha is bandleader/flute/sax Lise Gilly, Janet Cramer and Jean Leroy on drums/percussion, Stacy McMichael on bass, vocalist Diana Mosquera and Adrian Ruiz on piano.

True Muse Productions is laying the foundation for becoming a not-for-profit. To that end, Linda Solotaire, Artistic Director of True Muse Productions and the music series’ curator, will launch the season with a special party on Tuesday, June 10th at 7:30pm at the Open Door Theatre. The gorgeous, fun, hip band lePercolateur, led by leader/bassist Stacy McMichael, will provide this very special evening's entertainment. All donations are appreciated. Guests are encouraged to RSVP to Linda.TrueMuse@gmail.com, or call the theater to make a reservation 708.342.0810.

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Experimental work premieres April 24-26 at the Bridgeport Art Center.

I was talking with a reporter today about "f(H2T) from Here to There" - and I realized how amazing this project IS and is going to be. When you are in the middle of the process, it is painful, exhilarating, tedious, fun - and, you can't see the forest through the trees. Stepping back to talk about it allowed me to SEE it for the first time, taking shape in my minds eye, hearing the music, the textures, feeling the breath of the audience, the tension the mystery. I can't wait! Here are the deets:

NON:op’s inaugural performance, f(H2T) premieres April 24-26 at the Bridgeport Art Center.

CHICAGO, IL - NON:op presents their inaugural project, f(H2T) from Here to There, at the Bridgeport Art Center, 5th floor on April 24-26, 2014. Tickets are $15-$20 and may be purchased online at fH2T.brownpapertickets.com. f(H2T) examines the liminal space between the world in which we live and the world we desire. Structures and collaborative pieces are integrated within a 12,000 square foot warehouse space in which spectators will explore and navigate the metaphoric world in which we all live. This multi-arts site specific work was co-created by: Salome Chasnoff & Lauren La Rose (video installation artist/performer), Kristina Isabelle (choreographer), Gregory O’Drobinak (sound artist/electronics), Liviu Pasare (video artist,) Christopher Preissing (composer/curator), Rita Ritz (costume designer), Stacia Spencer & Linda Solotaire (performance/photography/video installation), Carmen Helena Tellez (composer/conductor), Gwendolyn Terry (installation artist). For more information visit nonopera.org.

Additional project collaborators include: Harrah Friedlander, Greg Geehern, Sarah Gonsiorowski, Mario (ZORE) Gonzalez, Jr., Katie Graves, Sharon Harms, Paul Hartsaw, Ed Herrmann, Kristin Johnston, Lauren La Rose, Angela Luem, Jessie Marasa, Maggie Mascal, Jacquelyn Matava, Peter Maunu, KG Price, Sid Samberg, Marley Schmidt, Howard Swyers, Amanda Timm, Sid Yiddish.

NON: op presents f(H2T) from Here to There an immersive journey through time and space Thursday, April 24, 2014 8pm Fri & Sat, April 25 & 26 at 8pm & 10pm

Bridgeport Art Center 1200 West 35th Street • Chicago, IL 60609

Tickets: $20 general admission •  $15 students and seniors Purchase online at fH2T.brownpapertickets.com For more information visit: nonopera.org

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...and here is the more

In tndem with the above, some of Chicago’s best blues gems will grace the Open Door’s Friday Night Blues stage. Ben Scholz's Midnight Blue opened the season on October 11, with fantabulous guest artist Nigel Mack - OMG! The second and fourth Fridays through December 13 include: James Wheeler on October 25, Nicholas Barron on November 8, the Holly McGuire Trio on November 22, and (also part of our Holiday Specials) on December 13 the Lowdown Brass Band.

One of the most satisfying aspects of the series is showcasing local professional talent; introducing them to new audiences, and sharing the depth and breadth of their creativity to their neighbors-who likely had no idea that so much great talent was living right next door. To further that agenda, Open Door presents First Fridays: Think Globally, Listen Locally, featuring artists from Oak Park and the surrounding areas, with new works from Doug Lofstrom & the New Quartet on November 1, and on December 6 the Leandro Lopez Varady Trio. The extended programming carries us into the Holiday Season - on December 7 Robin Watson and her Trio will perform her Holiday for the Holidays (a tribute to Billie Holiday which premiered just last year to standing-room-only audiences - I was there -trust me, you want to see this show.) Saalik Ziyad joins forces with me for an evening of winter wonderland favorites with Leandro Lopez Varady accompanying on piano at 8pm for Linda & Saalik’s Holiday Spectacular on December 14. There’s more new music: this Thursday, October 17 Dan Thatcher’s CD release party/performance of his latest CD “Playing Favorites” with Empty Step (*tickets are just $10 for this one), and on November 15 Crossing Borders Music Collective presents vodou (“voodoo”) - inspired string quartets by Haitian composers. The Jazz Concert Series will return this Spring, this time looking at women written out of jazz history. There will be more blues, new music and more, as well. In the meantime, or more information visit www.OpenDoorRep.org for more information. Most concerts are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm (check the website for exact showtimes.*) Tickets may be purchased through the Open Door box office at 708.342.0810, or online at www.OpenDoorRep.org.

A big shout out to media sponsors 90.9 FM WDCB and Chicago Jazz Magazine, and SPECIAL THANKS to Ben Scholz, who's been my right hand, especially helpful in reaching out to the blues community.

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Jazz Concert Series is back at the Open Door

Many of you may know, that in addition to performing, I also teach and do other stuff - like curating the Jazz Concert Series at the Open Door Theater in Oak Park. The success of last Spring's Jazz Concert Series has led us to expand programming to include additional genres; blues, folk, new music, world and classical music. We have a great line-up - read down for the list, or click here to find the FB events page.

Performances start at 8pm, and tickets are $18 for general admission, $15 for full time students and seniors.* The Open Door Theater is located at 902 South Ridgeland, in Oak Park, Illinois 60304. You can buy tickets through the Open Door box office 708.342.0810 or online at OpenDoorRep.org.

The ongoing series features some of Chicago’s most highly acclaimed composers, instrumentalists and vocalists. The jazz portion of this Fall’s season is called, The Spirit Rises, exploring jazz as it emerges from the African diaspora. The impressive line-up includes Chicago artists whose styles are as diverse as the intricate syncopations and rhythms that shape their performances. The Saalik A. Ziyad Connective opened the season last Saturday, October 12 with an amazing night of original tunes, and beautifully crafrted improvisation from his band of mostly AACM veterns.

This Saturday, October 19 William Kurk Enterprises continues with a funky beat, followed by Ben Farnandis with Miguel de la Cerna on October 26, on November 2 Paulhino Garcia’s Sound Minas Samba Trio, then the Chris Greene Quartet on November 9, with Dee Alexander's Evolution Ensemble closing the series on November 16 . . . BUT WAIT! There's more -

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Begin Again

FIND YOUR VOICE! You are a powerful, special and unique woman - express yourself.

BEGIN AGAIN is a special 8 week introductory course of 60-minute private voice lessons (1 per week), designed especially for women looking to find their VOICE (again, or for the first time.)

Register now and through the end of August for 8 weekly sessions of 60-minute private lessons for just $430.

Your weekly session may start anytime between now and the end of September, and should be scheduled in advance, preferably at the same time each week. There are a few weekend and evening slots available, so send your 3 best times when you message me to register.

Linda.TrueMuse@gmail.com or call 847.454.6693

I teach in Evanston, in walking distance from the Purple Line and Main Street Metra stations, and there is easy free street parking available as well.

This is a perfect class for you if you have had some music or vocal training, but have not been singing for a while, or if you've always wanted to sing, but never had any training.

You lessons will be driven by your unique needs, which we will discuss at your very first lesson (usually an hour and a half.) We'll use traditional vocal techniques, discover new techniques for interpretation, discuss music theory and musicianship, and explore opening up your instrument energetically as well, through breathing and visualization exercises.

************************************************ FIND YOUR VOICE! You are a powerful, special and unique woman - express yourself.

Please email me with questions at Linda.TrueMuse@gmail.com or call 847.454.6693

I look forward to working with you. https://www.facebook.com/events/1405439843004743/

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Teaching: Getting the Word Out 101

This Tuesday, I'm teaching my mini workshop, Getting the Word Out 101: DIY Press Releases for Musicians.

Musicians and performing artists can learn how to write and format a professional press release, and what to do with it once you have it.

Marketing the arts has unique challenges, and most artists don't have the resources to hire marketing and public relations professionals. This workshop is specifically geared for musicians- so you can learn to do it yourself.

You can sign up for the class online through DABBLE http://bit.ly/118o3jx

Step one in Getting the Word Out, after you get the gig, is the Press Release. The process of writing your Press Release helps you to organize all the details of the event, clarify the content of the performance, identify your target audience and more. The language you create for this can then be used over and over again for posters, online event invitations, etc.

In this class you will learn how to write, format and edit your press release, and how and when to send it, and to whom. You'll be able to take what you've learned and duplicate it for every event to come - so you may consistently "Get the Word Out" to increase awareness about you & your creative work - and get more butts in seats (screaming fans, ticket buyers, etc.)

http://bit.ly/118o3jx

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Jazz Concert Series Line-Up

March 2, 2013 - June 15, 2013 Saturdays @ 8pm Open Door Repertory Company and media sponsors 90.9fm WDCB WDCB & Chicago Jazz Magazine present the

Open Door Theater’s Jazz Concert Series Rhythm, Rhyme & the Refrain at the
 Open Door Theatre
 902 South Ridgeland / Oak Park, IL 60304 Tickets are $15 general admission / $12 Students & Seniors
 708.342.0810 / opendoorrep.org/tickets.

THE LINE UP March 2, 2013: Abigail Riccards Richard Rodgers: from Hart to Hammerstein Abigail Riccards . vocals, Daniel Healy . saxophone, Tim Fitzgerald . guitar & Jake Vinsel . bass

March 9, 2013: Elaine Dame Something to Live For: The Strayhorn & Ellington Collaboration Elaine Dame . vocals, guitarist Andy Brown & Joe Policastro on bass

March 23, 2013: Linda Solotaire Dreams of You, the Sun, the Moon and Johnny Mercer Linda Solotaire . vocals, Stu Greenspan . guitar/arrangements, Michael Levin . reeds & John Willliam Lauler . upright bass

June 1, 2013: Spider Saloff  The Memory of All That: A Gershwin Celebration Spider Saloff . vocals with pianist Jeremy Kahn

June 8, 2013: Jeannie Tanner The Jeannie Tanner Quartet Visions from Over the Rainbow Jeannie Tanner . vocals/trumpet with Lisa McQueen. piano, Cory Biggerstaff . upright bass and Darren Scorza . drums 

June 15, 2013: Dee Alexander revisits with jazz vocalist Ben Farnandis The Rhythm & Rhyme Makers
Jazz Vocalists Dee Alexander & Ben Farnandis and their ensemble* ________________________

LOCATION: Open Door Theatre (home of the Open Door Repertory Company) is located at 902 South Ridgeland Oak Park, IL 60304. CTA: BLUE Line to Oak Park Avenue stop. 



PARKING: Parking is available in the parking lot for Scheck & Siress – directly across the street from the theater at the intersection of Harrison and Ridgeland. Patrons may use the lot for free on Friday evenings and all day/night on Saturdays and Sundays. Free on-street parking on Harrison, and Ridgeland north of Harrison Street.

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Curating Jazz to Raise Awareness

I have always believed in the democratization of the arts - that is, that creativity is intrinsic to a healthy human psyche, and that our work as artists is intrinsic to the health of our society. It's why I have worked as an advocate for the arts, and hope to continue helping artists to become empowered in ways that lead to their success. It is this mission that prompted me to propose a Jazz Concert Series to the Open Door Theater.

I'm very excited about this, and hope that anyone reading this who is able to attend will. My personal goal here is to create new opportunities for local artists, and in general raise awareness about jazz - what jazz is (in all its incarnations) and continue to move forward all of our goals to keep the LIVE music scene vibrant.

To that end, I have been able to work with the Open Door Repertory Company, and am pleased to announce the opening season of their semi annual Jazz Concert Series, 'Rhythm, Rhyme & the Refrain.' Presented in collaboration with media sponsors 90.9fm WDCB and Chicago Jazz Magazine, at the intimate, new Open Door Theater located at 902 South Ridgeland, in Oak Park, IL 60304, Part I of the series opens on Saturday, March 2, 2013, and runs for six Saturdays through June 15, 2013. All performances start at 8pm, and tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for students and seniors, and there are FLEX ticket packages available as well. Tickets may be purchased through the Open Door box office 708.342.0810 or online at OpenDoorRep.org/tickets.

Our curatorial collaboration features some of Chicago’s most highly acclaimed jazz artists. For the Spring season, artists open 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.

Read my next entry for more info on the terrific line-up we have in store.

Stay tuned, in November the Jazz Concert Series will return, exploring the intricate syncopations and rhythms that emerge in jazz from the African and Latin diasporas. For more information visit opendoorrep.org/current-season. All concerts will be on Saturdays at 8pm. Tickets are $12 to $15, and FLEX ticket packages are available as well. Tickets may be purchased through the Open Door box office at 708.342.0810, or online at OpenDoorRep.org/tickets.

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Namaste

I try to write something on our FB page after every performance, because, as an artist, I believe that it is the exchange between us, the dialogue that is most important.

There is the dialogue during a performance, tho perhaps not as direct - I hear your answers in your applause, see your questions in your eyes-in the way you move. After, you are generous with your praise - we make small talk - we try to learn about each other's true selves behind our masks as artist and patron.

Still, I want to say here again how grateful I am for your presence. That you would choose to come to listen to me sing a song, on this night or that when you could choose to do an infinite number of other things - it means more to me than you could ever know. When you dance to my songs my heart wells up, and I am filled with a kind of elation - it is transcendent.

I always remember why I do what I do. I hope to communicate to you that there is empathy, love, understanding - that we are all in this together. I hope to bring you joy, laughter and fun, and transport you to a place you have not been, closer to happiness.

This past week, was filled with great support from you; we became the #1 artist on the Evanston Jazz charts, we had a hundred reservations for our Speakeasy show at Pete Miller's, and we sang for many old friends who danced the night away at the Edgewater. We played with some terrific new artists, Michael Levin & Steve Hashimoto, and made many new friends. I am grateful for it all, for all of you, for the great artists I am blessed to share the stage with, for the opportunities that are laid at my feet.

Much Love, kisses and hugs, Linda

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