Music for WCLX 11
Lesly Byers and The Jazz Cats
Chicago native Lesley Byers has been a part of the national jazz and swing dance scenes for over twelve years, playing top venues and receiving high acclaim from critics, musicians and fans. Her music has been called, 'Rosemary Clooney meets Bette Midler,' with a repertoire including smooth and swingin' jazz classics and standards sprinkled with a little hometown blues. All About Jazz wrote, "...a more straight-ahead brand of jazz that's as well-crafted as it is pleasurable." Cadence Magazine wrote, "...Byers has a timeless vocal sound, alternately seductive and innocent. She could easily be slotted next to Chris Connor, June Christy or Rosemary Clooney. Her energy and coolness are impeccable. Class and hipness work in equal measure here with marvelous results."
Over the years, Byers has performed on some of Chicago's most famous stages...Taste of Chicago, Navy Pier, Grant Park and the House of Blues, as well as stages across the nation...from Los Angeles to Boston, New York City to Seattle, Minneapolis to St. Louis. With audiences of over 5000 at the 2003 Jazz in the Park concert series in Milwaukee to 150 jazz lovers at Chicago's Green Dolphin Street jazz club to 1000 swing dancers at NYC's Irving Plaza...Byers has been dazzling audiences of all ages throughout the country. Even jazz fans in Japan were astounded when Byers toured the Kansai area including Osaka's premiere club, Jazz On Top.
In her hometown, Byers performs regularly throughout the city and suburbs at clubs, festivals and special events. Byers' sound reflects the old school style of delivering standards. She is deeply rooted in the ways of the masters and always true to the melody as written; this separates her from the rest.
Shout Section Big Band
Shout Section Big Band is thrilled to be accompanying dancers at WCLX 11 with their exciting book of big band swing. Shout Section is a full 17-piece big band directed by bandleader Brett Dean. This hot Chicagoland big band was formed by emerging young jazz talents and a group of experienced veterans with the mission of returning to the vibrant roots of the swinging big band repertoire. With a foundation in the music of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman and others, the band has developed a reputation for moving swing music forward into the 21st Century with subtle updates to the classic tunes. Composers in the group are constantly adding to Shout Section's great library. Shout Section performs regularly for dancers all over Chicagoland and at some of the best venues for wedding receptions and corporate parties. You'll instantly notice an excitement and energy in the music when you hear Shout Section live. This band isn't afraid to take risks - and the result is always top notch swing. You can find out more about Shout Section Big Band at their website: http://www.shoutsection.com
Swing Tempo
Saxophone, Kevin Gawthorpe
Trumpet, John Tremmell
Vocals, Amanda Wolff
Piano, Alan Gresik
Bass, Lisa Kleis
lePercolateur
lePercolateur brings a new, hip vocal twist to the gypsy-jazz scene; featuring exciting multi-guitar rhythms, a solid bass foundation, and soulful singing intertwining dexterous violin solos. Each member of the band brings their unique stylistic imprint to the mix.
lePercolateur may be best remembered for its gypsy-jazz interpretation of modern pop music, but the group keeps audiences on their toes with a clever mixture of vocal and instrumental songs, including all the favorite jazz standards of the early 20th century.
lePercolateur is:
Marielle de Rocca-Serra :: violin
Stacy McMichael :: upright bass
Nicole Peterson-Pearce :: vocals
Sam Random :: guitar / vocals
Conor Scanlon :: guitar
Special Guest:
Kevin Rush :: guitar
http://www.myspace.com/lepercolateur
http://www.chicagojazz.com/lepercolateur
http://www.facebook.com/pages/lePercolateur-hipster-gypsy-jazz/69384315147?ref=nf