Linda Solotaire, Chanteuse
Evanston, Illinois, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Ms. Solotaire serves songs--mostly standards, with some contemporary and new work thrown in (the last which we hope to hear more of)--as if she were serving you a beautiful meal she had made, in which the complements are as luscious as the main dish--while remaining complements. I am writing of the underlying interplay of feeling in the songs, which Ms. Solotaire brings out with her voice, her phrasing, her expressions, her grace at the microphone. When there is happiness in a song, there is also a beautiful sort of loss. When there is loss, the person is still there, somewhere. If you are a child, she is a good fairy; if a man, she is a lover whose longing and desire you could cure if everything were different; if you are a woman, she is offering you the deepest feelings and ironies you could experience. Come just to listen to her over-the-top vulnerable performance of "Come Rain or Come Shine." - Anthony N. (January 19, 2012)
"She's a cool, sophisticated, and a gifted performer. Linda sings like an exotic bird and presents her material in the grand tradition of a sultry night club cabaret. Support Linda by enjoying an evening of song and romance. You won't leave before the encore!" - Jack D. (January 19, 2012)
"We were totally entranced with Linda's performance the entire evening. The voice of an angel! True showmanship and professional. Not to mention beautiful both inside and out. We can't wait to host another party and have Linda perform again for us our family and friends. Thank you again Linda!""
- Cindy, B., Gig Salad (Apr 03, 2012) - Cindy, B. (Apr 03, 2012)
"Absolutely amazing show at Open Door Theater by Linda Solotaire Quartet. One of the most solid jazz shows. Jazz that is straight-ahead yet cultivated to taste, is so rare! This group nails tradition while playing with depth of feeling. Great musicians in the band and incredible stories in between songs. From the bass on "Autumn Leaves" to the insight into the life and work of Johnny Mercer, to the horn solos, to the guitar arrangements, this was musical insight beyond intellectualism and in the flesh." - Hannah Frank (Mar 24, 2013)
"...Thank you so much for the wonderful performance last night. Your reading of the Johnny Mercer lyrics was done with such a beautiful artistic sensitivity, and your narrations on the personal side of Johnny Mercer were quite informative, to say the least....High compliments go out to your band also, John, Stu, and Michael. My two friends really had a great time too-they are musicians also. In closing Thank You again Linda for inviting me to last night's event. I will catch you at Pete Millers and bring some friends to come out and support you." - J. Bottoms (Mar 24, 2013)
Discography
The Linda Solotaire Quartet is currently in production for their first long playing CD, a collection of songs from lyricist/poet Johnny Mercer. The debut performance of "Dreams of You, the Sun, the Moon and Johnny Mercer" was met with an enthusiastic full house at the Open Door Theater this past May 23, 2013.
Photos
Bio
Linda Solotaire is a jazz vocalist and leader. She performs with and leads jazz ensembles The Linda Solotaire Quartet, The Linda Solotaire Trio, and Linda & Back Room Boys (a 1920's Speakeasy show complete with flappers.) She also performs an eclectic repertoire as half of a duet with guitarist Stu Greenspan.
Linda uses some of the best jazz musicians Chicago has to offer, and plays regularly at Chicago jazz venues & festivals, cafes, restaurants and for private affairs.
Linda is greatly influenced by the great song stylists of the 20th century, Carmen McRae, Annie Ross, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Sheila Jordan, Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra, Abbey Lincoln, Tony Bennet and many others.
She studied music, voice, dance and acting with notable teachers including, for acting, William Hickey at HB Studio in NYC, and voice, Typhanie Monique, Carol Loverde and Elaine Dame in Chicago. She received her BA from Columbia College Chicago. With a background in theory, classical, and 20th-century music, Ms. Solotaire has enjoyed roles in musical theater, studio session work, as well as collaborations on original works with artists including, new music composer Christopher Preissing, playwright/composer Tom Weber, jazz funk band Original Balance, composer-poet Everette Howe, and others. She has had principal roles in scores of theatrical and on-camera projects ranging from Catherine in O’Neill’s 'Mourning Becomes Electra' to Annie in 'Annie Get Your Gun,' to commercial industrial videos and multimedia, to surreal collaborative films.
She has performed in a variety of performance situations and venues around the world including Pete Miller's, the Open Door Theater, the Lake Placid Olympic Arena, ancient Turkish ruins, and the deck of a battleship in the Mediterranean Sea.
Linda curates the Jazz Concert series at the Open Door Theater in Oak Park, is an active member of non-opera company and performs regularly with Time & Trouble for Small Fish Radio.
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