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As seen in the The Star – February 2007 Logan's luscious vocals light up |
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| The smooth sounds of jazz can soothe the soul. And vocalist Ava Logan -- who does a residency on the first Friday of the month at 94 West in Orland Park -- said she has always been captured by the way jazz affects people. "It's good for the soul," she said. "People love to hear stories, and these songs are all about stories. Everyone can relate to them -- love and not so love, the one who got away, he did me wrong, the blues, just things like that. "It feels good when you can sing and impart a feeling and emotion to people, and have people affected by that. I love making people feel happy or something -- just emotion." After working as a veterinarian in research facilities for several years, Logan, of Orland Park, decided to embark on a musical career full force. Classically trained in vocals, she developed her jazz stylings from listening to her parents' albums while growing up as well as performing in college. In fact, about 25 years ago, she helped to found Whim'n'Rhythm at Yale University. The female a cappella group was a sister group Yale's Whiffenpoofs, a male a cappella group that was established in 1909. "The music that was mostly being done in these groups -- jazz standards -- lend themselves very well to a cappella with great arrangements," said Logan, a former Frankfort resident. "That's when I really fostered my love for jazz." A native of Washington, D.C., Logan's public performing took off when she moved to the Chicago area and worked for seven years with the Wayne Michaels Orchestra. "That was a mixture of jazz during dinner, and pop and rhythm and blues," she said of the wedding band. When the orchestra disbanded, Logan continued to develop musical contacts by going to jam sessions and meeting musicians. It was Logan's performance at 94 West in July that sparked her first-Friday-of-the-month residency at Bryan Sord's popular eatery, where she is often accompanied by keyboardist Jim Sellers and upright bassist Kurt Schweitz. "One of my objectives for securing venues like 94 West is to bring 'downtown-quality entertainment' to the south (and north, west, any) suburbs," Logan said. |
"I'd like to make it easy for people who love this music (and there are lots) to get to hear the music conveniently." Those attending Friday's gig will hear mostly jazz standards and an occasional request from pop and other genres. "The music is so wonderful and relaxing," Logan said. "It's just good music that we don't hear a lot. People should support live music if they want it to continue. "It's just great to come out, have a drink, relax and just listen to some great music." Whether it is classics or newer standards, various ages respond to her vocals. "I've been told that I sound the way big band singers used to sound," Logan said. "So I can bring nostalgia to those who remember being a part of the era when this music was more prevalent and introduce new ears to a big band voice and the music -- live and in real time." Logan, who said she is constantly learning from people she performs with, said it is jazz's creative freedom that appeals to her most. "You can improvise with melodies and rhythms, and even the instruments you sing with," she said. Helping to arrange the business end of things for Logan is Earnest Millhouse, her husband of nearly five years and her manager. Through the couple's collaboration as well as Logan's dedication to her passion, she has performed in West Africa, the Caribbean islands and Hawaii as well as Chicago's Drake and Peninsula hotels. And she has her first CD set for an April release. Produced by Henry Johnson, the collection will feature lesser-known jazz standards, according to Logan. "I'm just thrilled to be doing this," she said. "I never thought I was going to be this involved with music. You never know where life is going to take you." By Jessi Virtusio |