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Michelle Obama Tribute
Michelle Obama Tribute
Date Posted: August 20 2009
Written By: chicago jazz
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The Jazz Institute of Chicago present its 7th Annual Gala concert and fundraiser on Tuesday, September 1st. at the Spertus Institute, 610 S. Michigan Avenue at 6:00PM.
We've commissioned one of Chicago's premier musicians, flutist Nicole Mitchell to honor First Lady Michelle Obama with a composition dedicated to her accomplishments. The world premiere of Honoring Grace: Michelle Obama will be performed by Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Orchestra with special guest vocalist Dee Alexander.
"Jazz is considered by many to be America's greatest gift to the world"
Michelle Obama
June 15, 2009
The White House
"Michelle Obama's story is a great inspiration to me, and I was thrilled to be commissioned by the Jazz Institute of Chicago to honor her through music," said Nicole Mitchell. "The more I learn about Michelle, the more I understand that she's like a South Side friend from next door, who keeps opening doors in all our minds and lives by her very example. She is committed, community-oriented, and conscientious. Michelle Obama is a light on America's heart - she is the real deal. I want my composition, Honoring Grace, to shine with her effervescence, to celebrate her spirit of excellence, her warm ways, her style and craft."
The Chicago Tribune's Howard Reich has described Nicole Mitchell as "a globally noted soloist, bandleader and composer," and wrote in his preview of the concert: "Jazz tributes to Barack Obama have been pouring in since well before the Inauguration, but later this summer Chicago will hear something different: An evening-length work honoring First Lady Michelle Obama."
Mitchell was recently voted by Downbeat Magazine jazz critics to be the top flutist in the rising star category, and special guest Dee Alexander received the same honor in the vocalist category. The Jazz Institute is proud to present our world class musicians at this event.
Joining Nicole onstage for this extraordinary performance is Special Guest vocalist Dee Alexander and Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Orchestra with: Renee Baker violin, Khari Lemuel cello, vocals, Tomeka Reid cello, Shanta Nurullah sitar, mbira, David Boykin tenor sax, bass clarinet, David Young trumpet, Justin Dillard piano, Darius Savage bass, Marcus Evans drumset, and Avreeayl Ra percussion
In addition to the concert performance, the 2009 Excellence in Jazz Awards will be presented to Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Lois Weisberg and television broadcaster Harry Porterfield (Timuel Black Community Service Award) and Jimmy Ellis, Joe Segal, and John Wright (Walter Dyett Lifetime Achievement Award). Santita Jackson of WVON will M.C. the evening
The annual gala helps the Jazz Institute continue to support the creation of new jazz music, sustaining jazz artists, nurturing new talent, enriching music educators and developing audiences for Chicago jazz artists.
Tickets for the concert are $50 and are available at www.jazzinchicago.org or by contacting Development and Marketing Director Virginia Nugent at 312.427.1676 x3 or by emailing her at
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