Geoff Tate, Jon B., Josh Ritter and More Coming Up at City Winery Chicago
By: BWW News Desk Dec. 06, 2016
The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, December 8, at noon at citywinery.com/chicago.
Wednesday, January 4; 7:30 p.m.
$18/$22/$25/$28
Chicago's high energy World Music funk party band Funkadesi returns to City Winery. The ensemble blends their unique signature Indian styles - bhangra, Bollywood, Indian folk - with reggae, funk and Afro-Caribbean grooves. The six-time winner of The Chicago Music Awards, Funkadesi has been lauded by critics and fans alike, even catching the attention of President Obama who noted, "Funkadesi really knows how to get a crowd going." Expect a mix of lush ambient sounds, paired with the band's signature diverse dance tunes.
Josh Ritter Works In Progress Tour
Sunday-Monday, January 22-23
$55/$58/$65/$68 + SRO for $35
An American singer/songwriter with a strong voice, a keen wit, and an evocative way with words, Josh Ritter has built a loyal following as one of the leading lights on the contemporary folk scene. Born in Idaho, Ritter bought his first guitar after hearing the Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash classic "The Girl from the North Country." While attending college in Oberlin, Ohio, Ritter got his first taste of the music of Leonard Cohen and Gillian Welch; he instantly fell in love with their songs and dropped his neuroscience major in favor of the pursuit of music. He recorded and released his self-titled debut in 1999, but it was 2002's The Golden Age of Radio that got him noticed by both critics and folk fans. His most recent work was with producer and engineer Trina Shoemaker for his 2015 release Sermon on the Rocks.
Ritter's City Winery Chicago show is part of his Works in Progress tour where he will try out some brand-new material. Ritter says, "I've been writing a lot of songs lately -- they come in waves, and I seem to be riding one right now. I'm playing some special solo shows in January and February to try them out. These shows will be mostly new songs, and a lot of me figuring stuff out along the way. It'll be fun and weird and cool. So, if you wanna see some works in progress, come on down. Help me figure out just how sturdy these songs are."
Friday, February 3; 7:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.
$32/$36/$42/$46
Songwriter, producer, vocalist, and instrumentalist Jon B. (short for Jonathan Buck) brings a distinctive focus on smooth melodies to contemporary R&B. He combined the spirit of '70s soul with hip-hop-inspired productions on his 1995 debut album, Bonafide. It peaked on Billboard's R&B Albums chart at number 24, led by the Top Ten R&B single "Someone to Love," a duet with prime influence Babyface, and went gold. His second album, 1997's Cool Relax, continued the emphasis on hip-hop soul and featured two of his biggest singles in "They Don't Know" and the 2Pac-assisted "Are U Still Down." The set sold over a million copies, thus earning it platinum certification. During the following decade, Jon B. released three more albums -- Pleasures U Like (2001), Stronger Everyday (2004), and Helpless Romantic (2008). In 2012, the singer returned with Comfortable Swagg. 2013's B-Sides Collection features 23 unreleased tracks from 2001-2012.
Geoff Tate - The Whole Story "RYCHE" Acoustic Tour
Sunday, February 12
$40/$45/$50/$55
Multi-platinum selling, GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate stops at City Winery Chicago during his worldwide tour, highlighting songs from all 17 albums he has done throughout his career. Tate will present his upcoming show all acoustically.
Tate is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the rock genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him as a major influence. Geoff is the original singer for the band Queensrÿche, which he fronted for over 30 years. When most musicians record solo albums, it's because they need an outlet for material that doesn't fit the scope of their band. That isn't the case with Geoff Tate. While there's very little on his solo debut that couldn't fit within the ever-evolving musical scope of Queensrÿche, the difference for the vocalist lies in the expression of those songs and how they came to fruition.
Sunday, February 26
$22/$25/$28/$30
Throughout a recording career that has spanned more than 20 years, Jack Ingram has maintained a reputation for uncompromising, personally charged song craft and energetic, charismatic performances, earning him prominent stature in a prestigious tradition of iconoclastic singer-songwriters. Ingram's prior work has won him a fiercely devoted fan base as well as reams of critical acclaim, and now his latest album, Midnight Motel, marks a creative milestone for the veteran artist, his sound ever evolving while showcasing some of his most expressive, emotionally raw songwriting to date. Ingram made Midnight Motel independently to avoid outside influences and have creative freedom to write and record. And so, Midnight Motel turned into an album that is as real and honest as it could be.
Sunday, March 5
$15/$18/$22/$25
There aren't many 23-year-old musicians that can say they've had a career that's already spanned more than a decade and there aren't many at any age that can compare resumes with Sierra Hull. She was given her first mandolin at age eight. By age 11, Alison Krauss had called with an invitation to the Opry stage; by 13, she signed a record deal with Rounder followed by her first album release at age 16. Hull has also played the White House, Carnegie Hall (twice), the Kennedy Center, traveled around the world sharing her music, and released a total of three albums. Then there's the fact that the Berklee College of Music gave her the school's most prestigious award, the Presidential Scholarship, a first for a bluegrass musician; her choice to accept it, to delay her dream of hitting the road full-time after high school in favor of expanding her musical worldview, was hardly a light one.
Al Stewart featuring The Empty Pockets - The Year of the Cat Album Show
Thursday, March 23; 7:00 p.m.
$40/$45/$50
With the release of Uncorked, Al Stewart and musical partner Dave Nachmanoff take a trip through Stewart's musical back pages, both in terms of the musical catalogue (they did have nearly 20 albums' worth of songs to pick from), and in terms of performance style. After all, Stewart made his bones in the massively fertile folk scene that was London in the late '60s, and he numbers among his contemporaries the likes of guitar wizards Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, singer-songwriters Roy ("Hats Off To") Harper and Richard Thompson, and a former flatmate named Paul Simon, who went on to some celebrity upon returning to America.
Guests are invited to join Al Stewart for an intimate, VIP experience prior to his concert, including a Meet & Greet and wine tasting. Participants will have the chance to try three City Winery wines alongside the artist while having the opportunity to chat and ask questions. Meet & Greet wine tasting tickets are $60, not including show ticket and merchandise.
Tuesday, May 30
$25/$28/$32/$35
With rock star good looks and a clutch of international music awards, pop singer Emin's star continues to rise both at home and overseas. Already a household name in Russia, Emin is positioned to do what no RussIan Male singer has ever done before - find crossover success in Western Europe and the US. Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, Emin moved with his family to Russia at the age of four. As a young boy Emin was sent to study in Europe which was later followed by a move to the America's East Coast. It was around this time that Emin discovered his passion for music, after his mother bought him a cassette of early Elvis recordings, not realizing how it would change her son's life.
City Winery also announces Ronnie Baker Brooks opens for Shemekia Copeland's Holiday Blues Bash on Dec. 18, Sam Llanas opens for Michael McDermott on Dec. 21, Heather Lynne Horton opens for Michael McDermott on Dec. 22 and Christmas Carolers open for Michael McDermott on Dec. 23.
All City Winery events are open to all ages and start at 8 p.m., unless noted.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday, December 8, at noon. Only members of City Winery Chicago's signature VinoFile program have access to ticket sales today in addition to receiving: a waiver of ticket service fees; free valet parking; Restaurant Loyalty Rewards, such as a free pair of VIP concert tickets for every $500 spent on food & beverage in the restaurant; exclusive membership-only events; and access to the proprietary City Winery Virtual Sommelier, which helps make suggestions for wines one might enjoy based on past consumption at the venue.
Jon B, Emin, Sierra Hull, Al Stewart, The Empty Pockets, Jack Ingram, Heather Lynne Horton, Geoff Tate, Funkadesi and Sam Llanas join a diverse mix of the most respected names in pop, rock, jazz, blues, world music, theater, dance, spoken word and comedy presented at City Winery Chicago, including previously announced headliners and supporting acts: Avant (Dec. 6); Davina & the Vagabonds with Pearls Mahone (Dec. 7); Marty Stuart & his Fabulous Superlatives with Colin Elmore (Dec. 8); Dan Zanes: Holiday Sing-a-Long Brunch Show (Dec. 11); Los Lobos (Dec. 11-14); Stephan Jenkins (Dec. 15); Tab Benoit (Dec. 17, 7 & 10pm) Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players (Dec. 18; 12pm); Shemekia Copeland (Dec. 18, 5 & 8pm); Marc Broussard (Dec. 19); Andrew Ripp with Stella Road (Dec. 20); Michael McDermott with Sam Llanas (Dec. 21); Michael McDermott with Heather Lynne Horton (Dec. 22); Michael McDermott with Christmas Carolers (Dec. 23); Christmas For The Jews featuring Joel Chasnoff, John Roy, Aaron Freeman (Dec. 24); Poi Dog Pondering (Dec. 26-30); Lalah Hathaway (Dec. 31, 7:30 & 11pm); FrEddy Jones Band (Jan. 1, 7pm); Funkadesi (Jan. 4, 7:30pm); The Flat Five (Jan. 6); Steve Earle Residency (Jan. 9-10); FrEddie Jackson (Jan. 13); RES with avery r. young & deacon board featuring DJ Mark Flava (Jan. 15, 6pm); Kris Kristofferson (Jan. 16-18); Hot Club of Cowtown (Jan. 19); Kevin Griffin (Jan. 20-21); Amy Black Band (Jan. 22; 12pm); Josh Ritter (Jan. 22-23); Steve Earle Residency (Jan. 24-25); Jon B (Feb. 3; 7 & 10pm); Alejandro Escovedo (Jan. 26-28); Louie Anderson (Jan. 29, 5 & 7:30pm); Luke Wade (Jan. 31); Leftover Salmon (Feb. 5, 1pm); Laura Jane Grace (Feb. 5); Stephen Lynch (Feb. 7-8); Holly Bowling (Feb. 9); 10,000 Maniacs (Feb. 10, 7 & 10pm; Feb. 11, 5 & 8pm); Geoff Tate (Feb. 12); Kruger Brothers (Feb. 16); The Verve Pipe (Feb. 18); Paris Combo (Feb. 19); Ana Popovic (Feb. 22); Assad Brothers (Feb. 23); Vanessa Carlton (Feb. 24); Jack Ingram (Feb. 26); Jeannie Tanner (Feb. 27, 7:30pm); Kathy Mattea featuring Bill Cooley (Feb. 28); Sierra Hull (Mar. 5); Idan Raichel (Mar. 20-21); Al Stewart featuring The Empty Pockets (Mar. 23, 7pm); Rodney Crowell (Mar. 25); Candlebox (Mar. 31); Morgan James with Andy Allo (Apr. 19) and Emin & Friends (May 30).
Opened in 2012, City Winery Chicago is a fully operational winery, restaurant with outdoor patio, concert hall and private event space located in the heart of the West Loop at 1200 W. Randolph, in the historic urban Fulton Market district. Once a refrigerated food distribution warehouse, the 1911 building has been transformed into a contemporary 33,000 square foot haven for those passionate about wine, music and culinary arts. The décor evokes the romance of being in wine country, from the exposed stainless steel fermenting tanks and French oak barrels, to the aroma of fermenting grapes. Chicago's only fully operation winery has produced dozens of in-house wines sourced from vineyards in California, Oregon, Washington, Argentina and Chile, including a Wine Enthusiast 90-point 2012 Bien Nacido Vineyard Reserve pinot noir. With more than 400 unique producers from around the world City Winery is recognized with 2014 and 2015 Best of Awards of Excellence "for having one of the most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world" by Wine Spectator. The globally inspired, locally sourced, wine-focused food menu is conceived for pairing and sharing. The concert hall accommodates up to 300 guests, all seated at tables with complete beverage and dining service, ensuring a comfortable "listening room" experience enhanced by a state-of-the-art Meyer Sound system. Riedel is the official and exclusive provider of glassware, showing City Winery's commitment to enjoying quality wine in a quality vessel. American Airlines is the Official Airline and Virgin Hotels Chicago is the Official Hotel of City Winery. For more information, please visit www.citywinery.com.
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