School of American Music Jazz Fest presents Lynne Jordan and the Shivers with special guest Martha Cares

Friday, Sep. 12 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)

Get ready for a powerhouse night of jazz, blues, funk, and soul as Lynne Jordan & The Shivers light up The Acorn stage in support of the School of American Music with special guest Martha Cares.

A Chicago legend, Lynne Jordan’s soaring vocals and larger-than-life personality captivate audiences across genres. Dubbed his “favorite diva” by the late Roger Ebert, Jordan and her sizzling band have become a fixture in Chicago’s music scene and beyond, performing everywhere from jazz clubs to sold-out theaters.

Don’t miss this unforgettable kickoff to Jazz Fest 2025 — a night of music that moves you and supports a great cause.

About the Artists:

Lynne Jordan
Chicago. In 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 late Chicago film critic Roger Ebert declared her his “favorite diva.” Backed by her sizzling band The Shivers, Jordan quickly developed into a Chicago institution, playing jazz and blues clubs, swanky lounges and even the charity circuit throughout the country. She brought her special brand of storytelling, raw humor and performance to her recent Chicago (2024) New York, DC and Atlanta with her sold-out show, “A Musical Tribute To Nina Simone.” She has recorded with Tom Waits; The Punk group Urge Overkill; Alligator Records Blues artist Toronzo Cannon; featured amongst Taj Mahal, Etta James and Koko Taylor on Blues Down Deep: A Tribute to Janis Joplin and her own CD’s: Bit o Fun and Holiday Shivers. Lynne performed in Jazz Operas in Europe, performed her own one woman show, and is a featured vocalist with Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues. Lynne has traveled the world with her band the Shivers including a life changing performance in Kyiv, Ukraine in Freedom Square before an audience of 250,000. Jordan has performed her works at numerous Live lit (storytelling) shows in Chicago, New York, Kyiv, Atlanta, Moscow, Rio, Riga and Paris and is featured in the book: Chicago Storytellers, From Page to Stage (U.S) and the book 50 Women in Blues (England) Because she is a popular entertainer in Chicago, she has honed her storytelling skills with every song, in every concert and event, and created a one woman show “A Great Big Diva” that includes her wonderful stories and music. Lynne is a 2021 3Arts Make a Wave Artist, and recipient of the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago: Outstanding Achievement in Music - Rhythm & Blues award. She was the first artist awarded a “Diva Residency” as artist in residence at the Raue Center for the Performing Arts in Illinois as well as feature spots at The Chicago Blues Festival . Lynne is presently working on two new recordings: one includes original material from Corky Siegel, Toronzo Cannon and John Cameron Mitchell and the other is exclusively classic blues tunes from the '20s, '30s, and '40s.

Martha Cares
Martha Cares is perhaps best known for singing over one thousand performances in the national Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera, directed by the legendary theater director and producer Harold Prince. She is Grand Prize winner of the International Bel Canto Opera Competition and the International Friedrich Schorr Opera Competition. She has graced the stages as soloist with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Music Festival, Florida Grand Opera, Chicago Opera Theatre, Miami Chamber Opera and Milwaukee Opera Company, to name a few, and she has appeared as soloist with the Tulsa Philharmonic, Miami Chamber Symphony and the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. Internationally, Ms. Cares performed in Europe through the auspices of the International Bel Canto Foundation. She is honored to have earned her place among the distinguished roster of artists comprising the prestigious Lyric Opera Center for American Artists, the Ryan Opera Center. Martha’s voice is heard in numerous nationally televised commercials highlighted by McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’It!” and Clio Award winning Cheer and United Airlines campaigns. She was chosen by the Hal Leonard Corporation as solo recording artist for numerous commercial releases encompassing Musical Theater Classics, Contemporary Musical Theater, Jazz, Classical and the Great American Songbook.

Martha had been collaborating with the late Garth Taylor on a jazz performance at the time of his untimely death. School of American Music thought it appropriate to invite Martha to open Jazz Fest Weekend in tribute to Garth.

About School of American Music:

The School of American Music was founded by D. Garth Taylor to serve as a music resource in Michiana with a mission to provide education, performance, and audience opportunities in music and the related arts in the Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana areas.

The School of American Music offers private, one-on-one lessons at its studios at the Arts & Education Center – 14 Maple Street in Three Oaks as well and at 2 Sycamore Street E in the Three Oaks Methodist Church. Lessons are taught by highly qualified instructors with more than 250 combined years of experience. SAM’s teaching philosophy places heavy emphasis on performance with twice yearly recitals and other performance opportunities. Lessons are available for children and adults at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels of proficiency, and in a variety of musical styles.

School of American Music offers lessons to students of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay. We provide scholarships from 50% to 100% based on a student's need and eligibility. Scholarships are supported by the Pokagon Fund, the LaPorte Service League and through generous community donations.

For more information, visit School of American Music’s website.

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $30 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $30 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

The Acorn is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.