Alyssa Allgood Quartet brings Christmas jazz to the Bethel music series
Jazz returns to Bethel United Church of Christ's concert series with a sparkling performance by the Alyssa Allgood Quartet on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Allgood is a Chicago-based jazz vocalist whose silky soprano voice is perfectly suited for Christmas favorites, from traditional to contemporary, to two of her own holiday compositions.
Band members include Alyssa Allgood, vocals; Tom Vaitsas, piano; Katie Ernst, bass; and Neil Hemphill, drums.
Allgood has appeared either with her quartet or as soloist at such distinguished venues as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Club in Shanghai, Birdland Jazz Club in New York City, the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Green Mill, the Jazz Showcase, Winter's Jazz Club, the Jazz Estate and Noce Jazz Club.
The New York City Jazz Record calls her "undeniably skillful at what she does. The expressive Chicagoan wears different hats, from scat singer to interpreter of familiar lyrics, to lyricist - and she shines in all of those areas … "
The Chicago Tribune's former music critic Howard Reich described Allgood as "A fast-rising Chicago singer, who combines an unpretentious stage manner with a sophisticated jazz sensibility." Learn more about Allgood at www.alyssaallgood.com.
The concert will be at 7 p.m. at Bethel United Church of Christ, 315 E. St. Charles Road in Elmhurst. A reception will follow the concert.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.com or at the door. Students are free. Parking is free and the church is accessible.
For more information, call (630) 279-4040 or visit www.musicatbethel.com.
The 25th season of Music@Bethel opened with dramatic book reviewer Jenny Riddle in character as Constanze Mozart and classical pianist Jeffrey Panko playing some of Mozart's best loved music.
In March, the Edgewater Ensemble woodwind quintet will be performing music composed by marginalized composers as well as the traditional wind quintet literature. In April, renowned flutist Mary Stolper, accompanied by Jeffrey Panko, returns by popular demand to Music@Bethel for an unprecedented fifth appearance in the concert series, performing works by Bach, Chopin, Ravel and Schwanter.