Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre and the Jazz Institute of Chicago will present a two-night concert on August 20 and 21 that will celebrate the amazing artistic accomplishments and contributions of Black female musicians, composers, and bandleaders from the early 20th century to present day. An all-Black women string quintet, led by celebrated musicians Jordyn Davis and Natalie Frakes, along with spoken word artist Darlin’ Mikki and other guest musical artists, will make this a memorable experience for the entire family. Performances will be Saturday, August 20 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, August 21 at 3:00 pm; at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. A wine and hors d`oeuvres after party with the musicians (included with ticket purchase) will follow the Sunday, August 21 performance.
Some of the Black artists to be saluted are Mary Lou Williams, Lillian “Lil” Hardin Armstrong, Alice Coltrane, and Geri Allen. Mary Lou Williams was a jazz pianist, arranger, and composer who wrote hundreds of compositions and arrangements and recorded more than one hundred records between 1920 and her death in 1981. She wrote and arranged for Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman, and was a friend, mentor, and teacher to Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Tadd Dameron, Bud Powell, and Dizzy Gillespie. Lillian “Lil” Hardin Armstrong was a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, singer, and bandleader. She was the second wife of Louis Armstrong, with whom she collaborated on many recordings in the 1920s and was an important influence on his career. Alice Coltrane was a jazz composer and pianist and one of the few harpists in the history of jazz. She recorded many albums as a bandleader and was married to jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane. One of the foremost exponents of spiritual jazz, her eclectic music proved widely influential both within and outside the world of jazz. Geri Allen was an American jazz pianist, composer, and educator who was also an associate professor of music at the University of Pittsburgh and the director of its Jazz Studies program.
The compositions and arrangements of these influential musicians will be performed by an all-Black-female string quintet led by award-winning bassist, composer, songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Jordyn Davis, who has performed with artists such as Micheal Dease, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Dee Dee Bridgewater; and jazz violinist Natalie Frakes, who has performed with such leading musicians as Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Aretha Franklin Orchestra, Ariana Grande, and Stevie Wonder. The quintet will be joined by Chicago spoken word artist Darlin Mikki, who will perform spoken word pieces she has authored to take us on this musical journey.
Joining Davis and Frakes in the string quintet are cellist Kailie Holliday, violinist Caitlin Edwards, and violist Michelle Manson. Also performing are pianist Anaiet Soul, trumpeter Devine Wade, and vocalists Quiana McNary-Licorish and Sean Blake.
L-R: Natalie Frakes, Jordyn Davis, Darlin Mikki.
Tickets for EXCEPTIONAL BLACK MUSES are $35.00 for the Saturday performance and $40 for the Sunday performance. Tickets are on sale now at www.fjtheatre.com.
LISTING INFORMATION
EXCEPTIONAL BLACK MUSES:
A MUSICAL JOURNEY with an All-Black-Women String Quintet
Saturday, August 20 at 7 pm and Sunday, August 21 at 3 pm
No late seating
To ensure the safety of audiences and performers, we ask that all patrons be fully vaccinated and wear masks during the performance.
Noyes Cultural Arts Center
927 Noyes St., Evanston, IL 60201 (east of Ridge Ave.)
847-866-5914
Tickets: Saturday, August 20 performance: $35.00; Sunday, August 21 performance $40.00 (includes wine and hors d’oeuvres after-party), available online at www.fjtheatre.com
This exceptional musical journey celebrates the amazing artistic accomplishments and contributions of Black female jazz musicians, composers, and bandleaders from the early 20th century to present day. An all-Black women string quintet, led by celebrated musicians Jordyn Davis and Natalie Frakes, along with spoken word artist Darlin Mikki and several guest musical artists, will make this a memorable experience for the entire family.
BIOS
Jordyn Davis is an award-winning bassist, composer, songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist from Detroit, MI. In May 2019, Davis became the first African American woman to receive a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition from Michigan State University as well as the first Michigan State student to receive a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition and Jazz Studies concurrently. She has also performed and worked with artists such as Micheal Dease, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Wycliffe Gordon & The Black Excellence Trombone Choir, Ingrid Jensen, Etienne Charles, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Craig Harris, Maria Schneider, Jerome Jennings & William Delisfort. Additionally, she is the proud leader of her own band “Jordyn Davis & Composetheway.” Since recently completing a Masters’ Degree in Jazz Studies at Michigan State University, she has moved to Brooklyn, NY and is one of two inaugural Jazz Leader Fellowship recipients from the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music as well as a teaching artist for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Natalie Frakes is an experienced violinist and educator and believes deeply in using music as a vehicle for social change. Natalie graduated with a Bachelor of Music from Wayne State University in Detroit. In addition to performing, she continues to be an active advocate for musical education in underserved areas.
Natalie is a versatile violinist who enjoys playing an eclectic mix of genres and styles. She has performed with music's most talented artists (Josh Groban, 2Cellos, Michael Bublé, Kygo, Evanescence, Lindsey Stirling, Aretha Franklin Orchestra, Ariana Grande, Stevie Wonder, Jonsi and Alex) at major venues all over the US. Natalie is Co-Founder and Creative Director of Midtown Strings and violinist and Artistic Curator for Six Mile Strings.
A passionate educator, Natalie has served as a teaching artist and conductor for a number of programs. She was Director of Orchestras for Oxford Community Schools and other experiences include positions with numerous community arts programs including Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Civic Youth Ensembles and MSU Community Music School-Detroit. She has been a teaching artist with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's El-Sistema-inspired OrchKids, Costa Rica's Sistema de Nacional Educácion Musical, and Accent Pontiac. Natalie currently is Director of Orchestras at Niles West High School.
Darlin Mikki, nicknamed “Boss lady” due to her feisty yet dominant personality, began her artistic journey behind the scenes managing and planning events for several well-known and award-winning artists. She debuted her freshman EP, HUSTLA'S WIFE, in a production entitled FEMININE FIRE, wherein she was coined the “Melanin Monroe of Spoken Word.” Her way with words has led her to share the stage with some of entertainment's funny to legendary greats; Michael Blackson, T.Murph, M'reld Green, Twista, Mary Mary and more. Her sophomore album, BOSS'N UP, paints a picture of her assertive side, diving deep into who "Bosslady " really is. Her Bosslady Productions is an artists-based company that has established itself in the heart of the city's most disadvantaged areas to be a voice and hand of the community addressing disparities while creating pathways of success for under-represented artists.
Tim Rhoze (Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre Producing Artistic Director). Tim Rhoze has been the Producing Artistic Director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre since 2010. His directing credits include: TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES 1992, THE MEETING, FIRES IN THE MIRROR, BLACK BALLERINA (co-writer), NUTCRACKER(ISH), CROWNS, HAVING OUR SAY, FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA, HOME, FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF, WOZA ALBERT!, GOING TO ST. IVES, SINGLE BLACK FEMALE, A SONG FOR CORETTA, YELLOWMAN, SWEET, LADY DAY AT EMERSON BAR & GRILL, BEAR COUNTRY, NOBODY, FENCES, PIANO LESSON, AIN'T MISBEHAVIN, K2, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, et. al. Tim is also the writer/director of WHY NOT ME? A SAMMY DAVIS JR. STORY, and MAYA’S LAST POEM, both produced at FJT. He was co-writer and director of A HOME ON THE LAKE, co-produced with the Piven Theatre Workshop.
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre
Founded in 1979, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre is a professional, award-winning theatre company that has been thrilling audiences with over three decades of unique, inspirational, and invigorating African American and African Diaspora-centered storytelling. The company has been honored in the Black Theatre Alliance/Ira Aldridge Awards. From original plays to the best of Broadway, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre has remained committed to supplying the very best in theatre. "Umoja!! ….Working Together in Unity" is the foundation from which FJT began and continues to thrive!
It is our mission to present powerful, thought-provoking, community-centered Theater Arts programming with a commitment to diversity and creative excellence. We are dedicated to providing a nurturing and creative environment for directors, playwrights, set, light, and costume designers, as well as for experienced and novice performers. In this positive environment, they can develop their skills and fully express their talents. The Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre is funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council, A State Agency.
Jazz Institute of Chicago
The Jazz Institute of Chicago celebrates its 53rd year promoting and nurturing Chicago’s world class jazz community. Founded in 1969, this not-for-profit organization works tirelessly to provide education, develop and support musicians, build audiences, and foster a thriving jazz scene in Chicago through education and public programs.
As the programming partner for the Chicago Jazz Festival since 1979, Jazz Institute of Chicago works with DCASE to help ensure audiences experience the highest quality international, national, local, and young future jazz artists.
COVID PRECAUTIONS
All visitors to Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, 18 years of age and older, are requested to provide proof of vaccination. By exception, visitors who are not vaccinated may provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event start time. Audience members are required to wear a mask while in the theatre. Masks must be worn in all theatre spaces.