The Judy Page Quartet at Rivermont Collegiate -- May 21.
Sunday, May 21, 5 p.m.
Rivermont Collegiate, 1821 Sunset Drive, Bettendorf IA
For its Rivermont Collegiate concert event on May 21, Polyrhythms' Third Sunday Jazz Series will treat audiences to the glorious vocals of a Midwestern artist when it presents a 5 p.m. performance with the Judy Page Quartet, the Peoria native's repertoire given tremendous instrumental assist by bass player Mike Nellas, keyboard player Daniel Leahy, and popular Quad Cities percussionist Manuel Lopez III.
A lifetime Peoria resident, Judy "Page" Adkisson began singing at the age of five for family and friends and in her church’s children’s choir, then continued her singing through school choirs and group talent shows at Carver Community Center. Her only formal vocal training was instruction came during high school, where she learned harmony and a minimal amount of music reading. Page's consideration of a career in vocal music actually started at 15, while performing as the lead vocalist with a four-piece band that entertained in the high school gymnasium after school for sock hops. Being able to hold her own as a lead vocalist with bands led her to an opportunity, at age 17, to audition with the Ike & Tina Turner Revue following high school graduation. After earning a spot as one of the outfit's Ikettes, Page gained valuable knowledge and experience in the six months that followed, which helped strengthen her desire to become a professional vocalist, and she began to expand her career.
Later performing with various area bands in the area, Page's job moved her to the West Coast. Not giving up the musical gift that she was given, however, she auditioned and won the job of lead vocalist for a popular band in San Francisco for four years. After eventually returning to Peoria, she continued her singing career as a part-time vocalist, performing throughout the Midwest while holding down a job as a secretary at Caterpillar. Page realized she had finally found her niche as a performer, and during this time, the artist sang at various music venues as an opening act for recording artists visiting the Peoria area for concerts with long-time musician friend Preston Jackson in the late 1970s through the '80s and '90s.
Page performs at various venues in and around Peoria most weekends, among them he Contemporary Arts Center; Tuesday Nite Jazz sessions at Riverfront; Rhythm Kitchen Music Café; and Central Illinois Jazz Society events. She recently performed a jazz concert with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and many private venues mainly concentrating on Jazz, the music she was first introduced to when she began vocalizing at home. “Music holds for me a sense of peace, love, calm, and balance in my life,” Page says. “I will remain forever humbled and feel continually blessed to be able to do what I so love.”
The Judy Page Quartet will perform in Rivermont College's Becherer Hall on May 21, with the musicians' 5 p.m. Bettendorf engagement preceded by an all-ages 2 p.m. demystifying jazz workshop ($5 for adults, free for kids) presented as part of the Polyrhythms Third Sunday Jazz Matinée & Workshop Series. Admission to the concert is $15-20, and more information and reservations are available by calling (309)373-0790 and visiting Polyrhythms.org.
