Scandalous” – Hollywood Reporter

“Leaves You Speechless” – St. Paul Pioneer Press

“A phenomenon” – Washington Post

“The breadth and layers of this project are so stunning that I can’t recall hearing anything like this.”- Elmore Magazine

“A national treasure.” Editor’s Pick for Best CD – DownBeat Magazine

“Blues Harmonica vs Classical String Quartet, World percussion, wild songs, and compositions, plus exotic jazz sonatas for Nina Simone sung by bodacious diva Lynne Jordan.  Chamber Blues will take you to places you’ve never been to before. I’m not going to miss this one for anything!” – Corky Siegel

“LYNNE JORDAN is a high-voltage blues-belter who blends the bawdy humor of Bette Midler with a gospel-tinged delivery reminiscent of Patti LaBelle.” -CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Chicago Blues Hall of Fame legend Corky Siegel with Chamber Blues joined by Lynne Jordan with an orchestrated Tribute to Nina Simone

Chicago Blues Hall of Fame harp and piano ace, Corky Siegel, performed as guest soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra at Kennedy Center presenting his Symphonic Blues to rave reviews. Siegel quips that the orchestra couldn’t fit in the bus, and he will be bringing a world-class string quartet, world percussionist Kalyan Pathak, with vocal diva Lynne Jordan in a riveting presentation including some orchestrated NINA SIMONE with original award-winning Chamber Blues works.  Siegel is, of course, the prescient Chamber Blues progenitor and co-founder of the Siegel-Schwall Band. He is the national award-winning composer (of the chamber and symphonic music) who, at a very young age, learned his craft at the feet of such legendary first generation bluesmen like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.  With his band Siegel-Schwall, he is credited with moving the blues from smokey clubs onto the classical symphony concert stage and obliterating musical categorization in the process. His recent Chamber Blues release, Different Voices, received Downbeat Magazine’s Editor’s Pick for Best CD  calling Siegel;  “A national treasure.”

In Chicago, a city brimming with classic blues and jazz divas, Lynne Jordan stands apart. Not only do her soaring vocals dip effortlessly into blues, jazz, funk, rock, and even country, but her bawdy personality wins over any crowd. Her talent so dazzled the Second City, that the renown late Chicago film critic Roger Ebert declared her his “favorite diva.” Lynne recently brought her special brand of storytelling, raw humor, and performance to New York and Atlanta with sold-out shows.  Blues harp legend and piano man, Corky Siegel, has written lush arrangements for his string virtuosos who are joined by Aretha Franklin’s favorite percussionist, Kalyan Pathak. Kalyan was the only artist to perform percussion at Aretha’s personal request, all 22 songs with a host of stars, and all 9 hours during her televised memorial.

The award-winning Chamber Blues ensemble celebrates the 33rd anniversary. The ensemble includes international world-class artists; Jaime Gorgojo (from Spain) on first violin , Chihsuan Yang (from Taiwan) on second violin and Chinese erhu, Aurelien Pederzoli (from France) on viola, Jocelyn Shoulders on cello, and world percussion virtuoso Kalyan Pathak (from India)  hailed as “fleet finger virtuosity” on tabla, by the CHICAGO TRIBUNE.

“ CHAMBER BLUES LEAVES YOU SPEECHLESS. Corky Siegel stole my tongue with the kind of blues harmonica that had otherwise dignified people stomping their feet and letting out whoops of joy. Chamber Blues has married Muddy Waters and Mozart with this amazing combination of blues and classical that dazzled the audience. Do your eyes and ears a favor – go and see this show.” – ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS