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Performing
at Singer Spotlight Unplugged at Uncommon Ground on Thursday, June
5.
Jill
Dawson
Jill’s
musical beginnings started with musical theatre and vocal jazz performances
as a teenager in Central Wisconsin. As an extension of her love
for music, she picked up the acoustic guitar at the age of 19 in
order to accompany herself playing her favorite tunes, and then
slowly began writing her own (sorry, recordings from those humble
beginnings are not available J!!) Jill moved to Chicago in 1996
and in the following year, she became lead singer of a cover band,
playing in clubs in the area. However, as she became more confident
with her original material, she turned her focus to life as a performing
songwriter. PHOTOS CD Release Party at the Abbey Pub Click arrow
for more photos In Dec of 1998, she recorded her first CD titled
Thicker Than Water, an all acoustic endeavor of 13 original songs,
which lead to inclusion of the track “Angel in Disguise” on the
Backporch Benefit Foundations compilation, The Angels are Listening.
In 1999, she met up with producer Erik Vaveris at a performance.
As a result of their collaboration, her next album, First Time Around,
was released in the fall of 2000. Co-produced by Erik & Jill and
engineered by Steve Rashid of Woodside Avenue Studios, the CD is
a diverse mix of acoustic and full band arrangements, providing
a blend of music for both pop and folk music fans. In 2001, Jill
moved to Australia for the year, pursuing her love of travel, and
recording tracks for her 2002 EP, Acoustically Yours. Jill’s music
has been very well received by fans & critics for her unique, warm,
strong voice, as well as for her music’s compassionate messages.
She has received airplay on US college and community radio stations
from Seattle to Boston, as well as across the globe in Spain, Germany,
Norway, and even Siberia. Find
out more about Jill at www.jilldawson.com
Dawn O'Keefe Williams
I
perform within the tristate area and work with Ronny & The Rockits
who back me up on my gigs. Last month we were at the Chicago Cultural
Center and can be viewed on Chicago's Channel 25. I received a Billboard
Certificate Award of Achievement for my song STONE COLD FOOL and
I was a backup singer for recording artist Vanessa Davis. I have
produced many fundraisers and workshop panels.
Stripped
Strip away the labels,
limits, and categories, and you have an exciting adventure in vocal
music. Stripped is comprised of 5 award winning vocalists, each
bringing their own unique style and flare to this cutting edge a
capella band. Sean Archer and Mariama Torruella are the co-founders
of this dynamic new Chicago group. Gayle Bisesi and Leslie Beukelman
are not new comers when it comes to music, but they are to Stripped,
both joining the group this year (2002). The 5th element, the bass
dude, has yet to be discovered. In addition to performing, the members
of Stripped have founded Breaking Boundaries, Inc., a non-profit
organization dedicated to helping people find ways to creatively
express themselves. Each member brings to the table their years
of international performing experience, music education, and spiritual
motivation. Through community outreach, clinics, master classes,
and multimedia workshops, they hope to show each person the joy
that comes from finding and following their own inner voice. Be
sure to visit their web site at www.breakingboundaries.org
J.
Kendall
This is the first time at Uncommong Ground for musician/singer/songwriter
J. Kendall. J. Kendall grew up in Chicago where he sang and played
bass guitar in his church choir. In college, he was exposed to other
musical styles including jazz and was the bass player in a band
with Becca Kaufman as the lead singer(small world!). After working
as a computer programmer for a few years, J Kendall left the corporate
world to pursue a career in music. Since then, he has worked on
a number of projects including radio jingles and songs for the independent
films I Was Made To Love Her and Harlems Beauty . In 2001, he released
his debut album entitled Make Your Move , a collection of 13 original
tunes that he composed, produced and performed. In addition to performing
regularly at the Buzz Cafe, he is currently working on his second
album and a website JKENDALLMUSIC.com
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