Sneak Preview for our March 7 Program at the Harlequin

On Saturday, March 7, we’re gathering a group of the finest regional performers who all happen to be female for an unforgettable night at the Harlequin Theater in Columbus at the Fair Oaks Mall. Let me introduce those amazing ladies to you and also the program that we have planned for that night:

1. Natalie Boeyink – bass, she grew up in Bloomington and found her way to the bass via the piano and the violin at Bloomington High School North. She completed a degree in Jazz Studies at IU and then moved to Louisville, where she completed a Masters in Jazz Studies and became a first-call bassist on the scene. Eventually she came back to Bloomington to complete a Doctorate in Music Education and will graduate in May.  We’ll have to call her Dr. Natalie then.  She leads her own trio with a focus on Latin music and teaches Strings at Attica Elementary schools at the moment.

2. Carolyn Dutton – violin, grew up in Martinsville and was  drawn to the city of New York. Right after graduating from college she hopped on a train to New York and started a 30 + year career as a musician and writer. She returned to Bloomington about a decade ago and pursued a Masters in Jazz Studies at IU. Last year, she received a grant from the Indiana Arts Commission to go to Paris to the Django Reinhardt Festival.

3. Amanda Gardier – saxophone, hails from Chicago and came to Bloomington to complete her degree in Music Education. After graduating last year, she started to work as a Band Director in the Carmel School District. She is a an outstanding player and dedicated teacher, those kids are so lucky to have  her and we’re glad she is still in Indiana!

4. Monika Herzig – piano, that’s me – a one-way ticket got me to Alabama for an exchange program that turned into 27 years. I tour with my own groups, have more than 15 CDs to my credit, teach at Indiana University and can’t wait to see you all in Columbus!

5. Hannah Johnson – drums, our newest member and Freshman at IU. She hails from Waukesha, Wisconsin and is taking Bloomington by storm. Recently, her jazz group won the Jumpstart Entrepreneurship competition and got some seed money to do recordings.

6. Lauren Robert – vocals, the queen of blues and soul who recently returned from staging her own musical and climbing the pop music charts in New York. This lady commands the stage and takes you on an unforgettable journey.  She has released albums on major labels and toured the world – we’re so lucky to have her back in Indiana. Check this out!

And what do we have in store? Since we pay tribute to Women in Jazz, all pieces are written or made popular by ladies. Lauren, Natalie, Carolyn, and myself are contributing some of our original music. Lauren wrote a play that was produced on Broadway, Natalie and Carolyn are amazing musicians, and I love to write tunes.  But also on the program are Blues tunes made famous by Nancy Wilson, Irma Thomas, and Bonnie Raitt, as well as compositions by Carla Bley, and Lil Hardin Armstrong, and covers of our contemporary divas including Megan Traynors All About That Bass and Lorde’s Royals!

I’ll be spinning my annual tribute to the Ladies of Jazz radio show on Thursday, March 5, 3.30 – 5 on WFIU, 103.7 – send me your favorite tunes.

Tickets for Columbus are available at Viewpoint Books, Washington St and Fair Oaks Mall – Got here for more info and to order or just come to the door on Saturday, March 7, 7pm