Sunday Concert: Petra Sings/Dennis Swings
Sunday, March 30
2:00pm - 3:00pm
St. Charles Public Library
Carnegie Community RoomWelcome back to the acclaimed jazz duo of vocalist Petra van Nuis and pianist Dennis Luxon! Enjoy the nostalgic enchantment of timeless Great American Songbook standards, both familiar and obscure.
Chicago-based duo, vocalist Petra van Nuis and pianist Dennis Luxion have 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). “A veteran Chicago pianist of impeccable taste and considerable harmonic imagination” (Chicago Tribune), Dennis is best known for being Chet Baker's pianist in the 1980s in Europe where they toured extensively and made six recordings together. Recent overseas performances include touring Southern Africa as part of the Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad program administered by Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Praised for possessing “a light, gorgeous, and fairly delicate voice…a gift for melody and plenty of rhythmic confidence” (Downbeat Magazine), Petra regularly tours Europe and is known around Chicago for her celebrated Recession Seven band and her intimate duo with husband, guitarist Andy Brown. In 2018, after several years and countless gigs together, Petra and Dennis documented their synergistic collaboration with the recording "Because We're Night People," a collection of evening-related songs. In addition to the US release, "Because We're Night People" was re-released in Japan on Muzak, the record label responsible for introducing Petra to Japanese audiences and was chosen by All Nippon Airways (Japan's largest airline) as in-flight entertainment. Nationally, the album was given 4 stars and included in the Best Of 2019 issue of DownBeat Magazine, the nation's leading jazz periodical. Famed jazz writer Doug Ramsey praised the recording as “a highlight among 2019 vocal albums...distinctive...delicious...just the right blend of sadness and wit...a long stay on most listeners’ shelves.”
In 2024, the duo's latest recording "From Me To You" was born of their ongoing four-year residency at Chicago’s eclectic Le Piano jazz club where they play the "Afterglow" late-night set every Saturday night from 11 pm - 1 am. The album features a wide variety of repertoire including two tunes by beloved Chicago master musicians who have recently passed on, Marc Pompe and Bob Dogan. "From Me To You" was included in esteemed jazz critic Scott Yanow’s Best of 2024 list! DROP IN
St. Charles Public Library
The award-winning St. Charles Public Library District is located in the scenic Fox River Valley, 35 miles west of Chicago. The Library serves a district population of 55,092 residents and has a staff of 101. The St. Charles Public Library is an equal opportunity employer.