New jazz series starts Friday

The Elgin Art Showcase will be the home of a new monthly jazz series, Jazz Espial.

The first performance will take place Friday featuring The Loren Golden Quartet. The performance will take place from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. with a cash bar and appetizers available throughout the evening. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Special guest performer will be drummer Robert Shy, nationally known for his work with the Ray Charles Band, Chet Baker and many others. Chicago jazz fans know Shy from his work with the Willie Pickens Band, as well as from his many appearances at the Green Mill, Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase, and the summer Jazz series at Millennium Park.

While Elginites might be more familiar with Loren Golden as a local attorney, Golden has also been a professional jazz pianist his entire adult life, including performances at the Playboy Club during and after law school. Today, the Loren Golden Quartet is a traditional jazz combo playing standard hits such as "My Funny Valentine," "Here's That Rainy Day," "Nearness of You" and other songs featured on their latest recording, "Lounge Man."

Performing with Golden and Shy will be Greg Vazquez on guitar and Mark Sorlie on bass.

Jazz Espial founder John McKevitt is excited to introduce Elgin to a wide variety of artists, both established performers such as Golden, as well as new up-and-coming artists from the Chicago scene.

"The Elgin Art Showcase is the perfect site for Chicago area artists to perform in an intimate jazz-club setting. There are many talented jazz musicians hunting for a place like this to perform and perfect their craft," McKevitt stated.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.eventbrite.com/event/103219733. Seating in the Art Showcase is limited, so advance ticket purchases are highly recommended. Valet parking will be provided, with free parking available in the Civic Center parking lot, located at Douglas and Highland avenues.

The beautifully restored Elgin Arts Showcase is on the eighth floor of the historic Professional Building, 164 Division St. in downtown Elgin. This intimate 100-seat theater provides an intimate setting for a wide variety of live theater, musical performances as well as art gallery shows throughout the year.

For information on upcoming events at the Elgin Art Showcase, visit www.cityofelgin.org.