Chicago jazz artists return to St. Charles Library for Oct. 18 concert

The St. Charles Public Library welcomes the return of Chicago jazz vocalist Petra van Nuis on Sunday, Oct. 18.

Van Nuis will be singing with her favorite pianist Dennis Luxion, who was jazz legend Chet Baker’s pianist in Europe in the 1980s, at 2 p.m. in the library’s Carnegie Community Room, 1 S. Sixth Ave.

The Chicago-based duo has been noted for their “seamless camaraderie” (Chicago Jazz Magazine) with a style that is “hauntingly atmospheric and filled with creative substance” (All About Jazz) taking listeners to “a place where the agony, comfort, and hope of life meet” (Japan's Jazz Critique Magazine).

Van Nuis has been described in Downbeat Magazine as having a “light, gorgeous, and fairly delicate voice … a gift for melody and plenty of rhythmic confidence.” A Cincinnati native, she came to Chicago in 2004 and regularly plays such prominent venues as the Jazz Showcase, the Green Mill, the Chicago Cultural Center, Fitzgerald's, and Andy's Jazz Club. Festival appearances include the Chicago Jazz Festival, Chautauqua Jazz Party, Cedar Basin Jazz Festival, and the headliner of the Michelob Women in Jazz Festival.

Luxion is a jazz pianist, composer, and educator. He is currently a member of the piano faculty of Columbia College Chicago and an active member of the Chicago jazz scene. He performs with his own trio and quintet, and at the Green Mill with the Green Mill Quartet. Luxion has performed with jazz legends Chet Baker, Steve Allen, Fareed Haque, Marquis Hill, and Ira Sullivan, among others.

Since 1981, the library has featured a wide variety of musical performances. The public is welcome and the concert is free to attend. For information, visit scpld.org or call 630-584-0076.