RAVINIA ANNOUNCES 23 PROGRAMS IN FESTIVAL'S 1999 POP SERIES

April 2, 1999

Ravinia's 64th summer season will feature some of today's biggest names in popular music including several Festival favorites, many legendary Chicago talents and eight Ravinia debuts. The season opens with Israeli vocal sensation Noa (June 14), and stylish crooner Chris Isaak (June 22). A special holiday weekend concert brings the Neville Brothers and Little Feat to the Pavilion (July 3), while singer/songwriter Caetano Veloso makes a rare United States appearance and his Chicago debut (July 13).

Other highlights include Tony-winning Broadway veteran Audra McDonald (June 28); Grammy-winners Mary Chapin Carpenter (July 14), Shawn Colvin and Keb' Mo' (August 3), and Bruce Hornsby (August 10); country diva Wynonna (August 4); Chicago natives Natalie Cole and Freddy Cole (August 27); and the incomparable Tony Bennett (August 28).

Additional programs feature 70s supergroups the Doobie Brothers (July 6) and Creedence Clearwater Revisited with local blues master Otis Clay (July 7); Lyle Lovett (July 20); Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Staples Singers in a co-bill with the Mighty Blue Kings (July 21); Canadian folk-rockers the Cowboy Junkies with Leo Kottke (July 27); Disco queen Donna Summer (August 15); Gershwin specialist Michael Feinstein with John Pizzarelli (August 17); the smooth jazz sounds of Al Jarreau and Dave Koz (August 20); Ravinia favorites Peter, Paul & Mary (August 21); singer/songwriters Dar Williams, John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky (August 24); Chicago’s own Buddy Guy with special guest Susan Tedeschi (August 25); The Temptations and a 40th Anniversary tribute to The Supremes, featuring Mary Wilson (August 26).

Vocalist/percussionist Noa, an Israeli of Yemenite heritage who grew up in the Bronx, blends musical genres and foreign languages in an international sound. She is joined by Gil Dor (guitar), Yorai Oron (guitar), Yaaki Levy (percussion) and Gil Zohar (keyboards) on Monday, June 14.

Musician/actor Chris Isaak makes his Ravinia debut when he appears in the Pavilion on Tuesday, June 22. Isaak's first top-10 hit, Wicked Game, was featured in the film Wild at Heart. Now his song Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing is part of the soundtrack of the late Stanley Kubrick's long awaited flick, Eyes Wide Shut, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Isaak's newest release is titled Speak Of The Devil.

Audra McDonald and Trio will perform on Monday, June 28. McDonald, a three-time Tony-winner, makes her Ravinia debut in a Martin Theatre performance. The Broadway diva won accolades for her roles in Ragtime, Carousel and Master Class, and has been compared to Judy Garland and Barbara Streisand.

Saturday, July 3 the Neville Brothers appear with special guest Little Feat. The Nevilles: Art, Charles, Aaron and Cyril, are touring in support of their newest release, Valence Street. The classic American rock 'n' roll band Little Feat opens the show.

The Doobie Brothers hit the charts in 1972 with Listen to the Music and followed with such hits as Black Water, China Grove and Long Train Runnin'. Following their 1997 debut they return for their second Ravinia appearance on Tuesday, July 6.

Wednesday, July 7 brings Creedence Clearwater Revisited to the Pavilion stage. This band, featuring two of the original four members, Doug Clifford and Stu Cook, is responsible for such hits as Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising, Born on the Bayou and Green River. Chicago blues artist Otis Clay opens the show.

Brazil's foremost singer/songwriter, Caetano Veloso, makes his Ravinia debut on Tuesday, July 13. Veloso will perform songs from his new release, Livro, which features new renditions of his past hits as well as previously unreleased material. The New York Times calls Veloso "one of the greatest songwriters of the century."

Mary Chapin Carpenter, Grammy-winning country artist, lights up the Pavilion stage on Wednesday, July 14. Irish quintet Solas will open the show.

Making a third Ravinia appearance, on Tuesday, July 20, is the self-styled "Texas ironic" songwriter Lyle Lovett. He will perform hits from his Grammy-nominated double CD, Step Inside This House, his collection of songs by West Texas songwriters, and his many other albums.

Wednesday, July 21, Chicago's first family of Rhythm & Blues, 1999 Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductees Pop Staples and The Staples Singers kick off the night for Chicago's favorite party band the Mighty Blue Kings and their unique brand of jazz-jump-jive.

Following their sold-out concert in 1998, the Cowboy Junkies bring their signature mix of blues, folk and country to Ravinia on Tuesday, July 27, performing hits from their CDs Trinity Sessions and Miles From Our Home. Acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke opens the show.

Tuesday, August 3, Grammy-winners Shawn Colvin and Keb'Mo' share the spotlight. From Shawn's mega-hit Sunny Came Home to Keb's Mississippi-influenced 1999 Grammy-winning blues, the Pavilion will be alive with excitement.

Country superstar Wynonna makes her Ravinia debut on Wednesday, August 4. After making history with her mother Naomi, she has scored such hits as No One Else On Earth, She Is His Only Need, I Saw the Light and A Bad Goodbye.

Bruce Hornsby debuts on the Pavilion stage on Tuesday, August 10. This Grammy-winning singer/songwriter has collaborated with artists ranging from the Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan to Willie Nelson and Bonnie Raitt. His recent double CD release, Spirit Trail, blends folk, gospel and the blues into Hornsby's trademark style.

Sunday, August 15, the queen of disco, Donna Summer returns to Ravinia. Her hits, Love to Love You, Baby, She Works Hard for the Money, Hot Stuff, Heaven Knows and Last Dance set the whole world dancing and became anthems of the disco era.

On Tuesday, August 17, the music of George Gershwin comes alive when performed by sophisticated song stylist Michael Feinstein. Opening the show is a tribute to the Fab Four by John Pizzarelli, whose latest CD is entitled John Pizzarelli Meets the Beatles.

Friday, August 20 is a night for smooth jazz at Ravinia. Velvet-voiced Al Jarreau returns for a Pavilion performance with sax sensation Dave Koz as the opening act.

Perennial Ravinia favorites Peter, Paul & Mary bring their unique blend of folk harmony and social conscience to the Pavilion stage on Saturday, August 21.

On Tuesday, August 24, three up-and-coming singer/songwriters gather for a special Martin Theatre performance. Dar Williams, John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky share the spotlight in the spirit of The Gate of Horn.

Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy makes his long awaited Ravinia debut on Wednesday, August 25. Susan Tedeschi, whose single It Hurt So Bad is climbing the charts, will open the show.

Two legendary Motown groups share the stage on Thursday, August 26. The Temptations and the Supremes starring Mary Wilson will perform such hits as My Girl, Just My Imagination, Stop! In the Name of Love and You Keep Me Hangin' On.

On Friday, August 27, two generations of the Cole family carry on the tradition of the great Nat "King" Cole when daughter Natalie Cole and brother Freddy Cole light up the Pavilion stage in an "unforgettable" evening.

The 1999 pop series concludes with a bang on Saturday, August 28 when Tony Bennett returns to Ravinia. The legendary crooner will be joined as always by The Ralph Sharon Quartet for his annual tribute to the great American songwriters.

Ravinia wishes to thank WXRT 93.1 FM (June 22, July 3, July 20, July 27, August 3, August 10 and August 25); WGN 720 AM (July 6 and August 26); WUSN 99.5 FM (July 14 and August 4); WBEZ 91.5 FM (July 13); WBBM 780 AM (August 17); WNUA 95.5 FM (August 20); WUBT 103.5 FM (August 15) and WXXY 103.1 FM (August 27) for their generous media support.

For more information or to receive a 1999 season brochure, contact the Ravinia Box Office at P.O. Box 896, Highland Park IL 60035; or call (847) 266-5100. Tickets can be purchased online at tickets@mail.ravinia.org or by fax to (847) 266-0641. For all fax and e-mail orders, please state your name, address, daytime phone number, credit card number and expiration date, performance name and date, price and number of tickets required. The Ravinia Festival Box Office opens on May 29 and will begin accepting phone orders at 8 a.m. on May 30. A $3 handling charge will be added to all orders.