Joan Collaso

All Ages Doors 7:00pm First set begins at 7:30pm. Second set at 9:00pm. General Admission - $10 Discounted Student Admission w/ School ID - $5 Emmy award winner and international vocalist, Joan Collaso, was born, raised and is living in Chicago. Joan’s flowing sensual melodies, colorful improvisations and soulful stylings intrigue your ear, her spirit will capture your heart. She blends the textures of Jazz, R&B, Blues and Gospel in a way that gives her a distinct sound. In 1997, Joan appeared singing in the history-making movie ‘Soul Food’. Also she appeared four times, to standing-room-only crowds, at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands. Joan’s other festival appearances include the JazzKaar Festival in Estonia (Russia), the Sister Cities Festival in Osaka, Japan, and touring northern Italy for the Central Jazz Torino School of Jazz. Joan has appeared at least numerous times at the Elkhart Jazz Festival and in 2012 she gave her debut performance at the Chicago Jazz Festival where she was named one of the top 5 "must-see" performances.. This year, September 7th 2015, Collaso opened for the R&B Jeffery Osborne artist at the African Festival of the Arts in Chicago. She has been featured on countless radio and TV commercials. Collaso was featured on world renowned pianist, Ramsey Lewis' "Urban Renewal" CD singing, “I’ll Always be About You.” Three times in 2009 she performed on the Oprah Winfrey show as background vocalist for Susan Boyle, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Sugarland and Tim McGraw. A dream came true for Joan in 2014 – 2015 when she sang background vocals with Stevie Wonder for his “Songs In The Key Of Life” Concert series. While Collaso trail blazes her musical talents and performances all over the world she also weaves her extraordinary skills in her community. As an advocate for social justice Joan has written, produced and performed, for school age children and families, musical plays that teach history and promote education, courage and love.