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Vicki Mayo and George Turner Perform Jazz Standards
August 18, 2017 @ 5:00 am - 6:00 pm
Vicki Mayo and George Turner Perform Romantic Jazz Standards
The Western Illinois Museum welcomes musicians Vicki Mayo and George Turner, and historian Sterling Kernek for a program that explores the Great American Song Book on Friday, August 18th. Doors open at 4:30 and the program begins at 5:00 pm. Cash bar will be provided by Hy-Vee Catering. The event will be held at the Western Illinois Museum, located at 201 South Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s historic Courthouse Square. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door to benefit the museum’s programs.
The program is designed to transport listeners back to a “golden age” of jazz standards traveling from the early 1920s and the late 1950s. Historical commentary will point out influences on that music and highlight reasons for the lasting appeal of these well-loved songs. The expressive vocals of Mayo complemented by Turner’s well-honed and thoughtful guitar playing, will give a new appreciation of these favorites.
For more information contact the Western Illinois Museum at 309.837.2750 or info@wimuseum.org.
About Vicki Mayo
Although Vicki Mayo was formally trained to sing in operas, her favorite genre is jazz. While living in New York City for 17 years, she had various gigs and jobs, most notably as a vocalist assisting Joe Raposo, the Music Director of Sesame Street. After returning to the Midwest, she worked as a high school choir director and often performed with jazz pianist Ann Colllins.
About George Turner
George Turner has worked full time as a jazz guitarist and guitar teacher since 1993. Turner holds music degrees from the University of Illinois and has worked as an instructor at the Conservatory of Central Illinois in Champaign, and University of Illinois. Currently he teaches at Western Illinois University and leads his own groups playing straight ahead and Latin jazz, as well as blues, funk and rock. In 2000 he released the CD Slip, Don’t Fall, featuring his original compositions. He continues to perform regularly throughout Illinois, the Midwest and beyond.
About Sterling Kernek
Sterling Kernek worked as a professional historian from 1971, the year he received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Cambridge, until 2002, when he retired from the History Department at Western Illinois University. He has been a jazz fan since his high school years growing up in Corvallis, Oregon.