Live In Chicago

Petra's Recession Seven is a seven piece traditional/swing jazz band formed by vocalist Petra van Nuis during the Great Recession of 2008. When the recession hit and venues began downsizing to smaller groups, slashing pay, and/or cutting live music altogether, things looked grim. Somehow, despite the financial situation, Petra decided to think big. She assembled the fantastic all-star line-up of internationally known Chicago veterans: trumpeter Art Davis, trombonist Russ Phillips, clarinetist Kim Cusack, and drummer Bob Rummage. She then added younger Chicago swingers, guitarist Andy Brown and bassist Joe Policastro to the mix, and the band was born at a debut performance at Chicago's legendary Green Mill. The depression-era music they specialize in seemed to strike a chord, and the band was an instant hit! Growing steadily in popularity, Petra's Recession Seven continues to be heard around Chicago at such top venues as the Jazz Showcase, Katerina's, the Green Mill, and Fitzgerald's. Performance highlights include the 33rd annual Chicago Jazz Festival, the Cedar Basin Jazz Festival, Fitzgerald's renowned American Music Festival, and several regional jazz societies. Many have asked, What will you do when the recession is over? The band's name is cute, but it is quite topical and we surely hope the band continues long after the recession ends. This is when Petra smiles and reminds them that whatever happens to the economy in general, the jazz recession continues! And they play on.... van Nuis has a light, gorgeous and fairly delicate voice...a gift for melody... plenty of rhythmic confidence...naturalness when phrasing...personal involvement with a lyric ...overall intelligence makes understatement and subtlety virtues.... -Frank John Hadley, Downbeat Magazine.