Living Jazz, Live
Contact us by E-mail or Phone: 765.421.6251

Click to refresh the page            JOIN THE JAZZ CLUB

Petra’s Recession Seven is a seven piece 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 and the band was born at a debut performance at Chicago’s legendary Green Mill. The traditional/swing music they specialize in seemed to strike a chord, and the band was an instant hit!

"Petra’s Recession Seven is, for me, a glorious return to the great principles of swinging jazz...lovely melodic embellishments and admirable team playing over a rocking rhythm section...hot Mainstream that looks back to the great Thirties recordings of Billie and Mildred...Her voice is lovely on its own, but I take special delight in her handling of lyrics...she feels the music in her bones and her delight in the pulse and the repertoire is obvious."
-Michael Steinman, Jazz Lives
 
"Do you like music that is sheer fun? If so, you must latch onto "Live in Chicago"...They make their retro style sound fresh. Their musicianship is first rate, and they swing mightily. Van Nuis is a vocalist from whom I hope to hear a lot more. If Chicago style jazz suits your taste, this one will be right for you. "
-Joe Lang, Jersey Jazz
 
"...a solid dose of happy, crazy depression era music where the main thing is to get you to forget your troubles...the kind of music we haven’t heard since the last time someone wrote Dave McKenna a sizeable check...a dazzling set that should not be missed...a top shelf date that you can’t help feeling happy when you hear it."
-Chris Spector, Midwest Record
 
"Petra van Nuis' voice is at once alluring and robust. Her tone alternates between delicate playfulness and declarative strength, perfectly suiting the combination of hot jazz and standards on Live In Chicago, an enchanting portrait of her band, Petra's Recession Seven. And oh, what a band it is—capable of captivating backing as well as exciting soloing."
-Jack Huntley, All About Jazz
 
"With a blazing start, Petra’s Recession Seven jumped right in on the first song, "Runnin’ Wild," with a high-energy live presentation...This was not take 5 or 10, as in a recording studio. There’s a feeling about this jazz album that it’s all about the music, as a motivated and enthusiastic group effort... It’s a killer of a band that grabs your attention and doesn’t give it back until they’re finished playing. Vocalist Petra van Nuis is a jazz stylist that uniquely handles lyrics with respect for what they convey, massaging them to personalize the lyrical messages. To see her in person must be a wonderful experience, to see how she physically presents the emotions heard in her vocals."
Harvey Barkan, LA Jazz Scene
 
"The Recession Seven sells their jaunty melodies and sharp rhythms with such panache that you would think you stepped in on Louis Armstrong with his Hot Seven or Django Reinhardt performing gypsy jazz in a café in Paris. The group is led by vocalist Petra van Nuis who brilliantly embodies the best singers of the 1930’s... "
-Dan Healy, Arts America
 

The Recession Seven features vocalist Petra van Nuis with Kim Cusack (clarinet), Bob Ojeda (trumpet), Russ Phillips (trombone), Andy Brown (guitar), Joe Policastro (bass), and Bob Rummage (drums)

JOIN THE JAZZ CLUB

Our Corporate Sponsors: 

Media Sponsor:	Providing our Pianos:	Web Hosting and Services: