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Under the Beams - Swingin', bluesy, out-there, but refined

Sonic Perfection Under the Beams

Erin Bode pronounces her last name with long vowel sounds and two syllables, but that, as with most talented recording artists, isn’t the most remarkable thing about her. Bode’s unmistakable soulful voice comes from both an incredible talent and an education from talented jazz pianist and vocalist Christine Witt. The most exciting thing about Erin Bode? Local music fans will be able to enjoy the wonderful sounds of her band, the Erin Bode Group, this month as the Under the Beams concert series gets underway on January 9.

            Bode was born in Minnesota before moving to St. Louis, where she sang in a choir as a teenager and shortly thereafter discovered jazz and big band music. For her college experience, she initially chose to study at the University of Minnesota.  It wasn’t long, however, before she decided to transfer to Webster University in St. Louis.

            At Webster, she earned her degree in music performance and foreign languages before deciding to stick around and pursue a music career in St. Louis. In 2001, she self-produced an album (Requests), featuring a cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” that became very popular among local listeners. That popularity gave her the props needed to get signed to Maxjazz, a record label based in St. Louis. Maxjazz released 2004’s Don’t Take Your Time, which featured a new rendition of “Time After Time” inspired by jazz artist Eva Cassidy. It was this album which provided her with more national exposure. Erin Bode’s latest album, A Cold December Night, was released in 2008. A Christmas album, it features a well-crafted, eclectic mixture of original tracks and traditional fare.

            Bode’s show in January should be a delight to fans of sophisticated arrangements and jazz grooves, emphasized by the group’s Midwestern roots. It’s an excellent way to kick off the 10th anniversary of the Under the Beams series.

            Ms. Bode’s concert begins the annual winter series; future shows include Evgeni Bozhanov, Bulgarian pianist and a finalist and top winner in the 2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (think World Series for concert pianists). Bozhanov has also taken top honors at competitions throughout Europe during his career.

            March’s concert will likely sell out quickly (the chances are good that each will, for that matter). One of the finest guitar virtuosos of our time, Fareed Haque, will appear at the Granary March 13. To say that Haque possesses talent would be the understatement of the millennium; from jazz to classical from collaborations with World musicians as well as rock artists, Haque’s range is seemingly limitless. The Granary serves as a perfect venue for the incredible sounds this man is capable of producing.

            Corky Siegel & Chamber Blues round out the series on April 10. Somehow the sextet of eclectic musicians take Beethoven and B.B. King, mash it together, and create classical blues… or something such as that. You’ll just have to come to see and hear it.

            We’ll be profiling each of the artists coming to Under the Beams in subsequent issues; stay tuned for more.

Tickets are available at the Events of Harmony at 527 Church St. in New Harmony and by calling (812) 682-3128. Tickets for all four concerts run $100, but single show passes are $28.

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