$20-25. Click HERE for tickets.

Thanks to our media sponsor WDCB!

Marc Smith, poetry
Al Day, guitar/vocal
Bob Long, piano/vocal
Brian Gephart, saxophone
Doug Lofstrom, bass
Sarah Allen, drums

CD Release of “Live at Studio5” by The Last Word

If you’ve not heard The Last Word, it’s a little difficult to describe what you will experience. Let me give it a shot: A group of fine instrumentalists play while a gritty vocalist sings, and Marc Smith (the founder of the Poetry Slam Movement) recites poetry … all simultaneously. Oh, and then I am moved to tears. That’s pretty much it. I am at a total loss as to why something that seems to be problematic by design (all that stuff happening together?) not only works, the result is emotionally so compelling. I’ve said it before: It’s gosh-darned magic. Click on the video link to hear their tribute to Stevie Wonder, “For Stevie”.

The last time this unique ensemble performed at Studio5 the evening was so powerful that the conversation afterward was about how that should have been captured as a live recording. Well, guess what? It was. All of our shows are recorded, of course, for our syndicated radio show, Chicago Jazz Live. That particular performance, however, marks the first time a Studio5 performance will be released on a CD. It’s all mixed and mastered, and this time when The Last Word appears on our stage it will be in celebration of their new CD, “Live at Studio5”. Come hear the band and pick up your own copy!

We'll be recording this performance for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB, too, so you'll be part of the studio audience! See you there. -SR

Cash bar, light snacks, free parking right outside! Doors open for cocktails and socializing at 7:30.