Sandra Reaves-Phillips to perform for SIUE Arts and Issues series

The Arts and Issues series at SIU-Edwardsville has announced its 2007-08 series of performances, and, as seems to happen almost every year, there are a couple of events worth noting for jazz fans.

First is the scheduled appearance of Sandra Reaves-Phillips (pictured), who will perform "The Late Great Ladies of Blues & Jazz" on Saturday, February 2 in the theater at SIUE's Katherine Dunham Hall. The show features Reaves-Phillips' talents as a singer and actor as she renders her impressions of Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Ethel Waters and Billie Holiday.

The series will also present neo-swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Friday, November 30 in the Meridian Ballroom. Can't say I'm much of a fan of these guys, as they've always semed to me to have the same relationship to real swing bands that Sha-Na-Na had to real doo-wop groups. But if you happen to dig them, consider yourself notified; if not, consider yourself warned.

The Arts and Issues series also is tying in some of this season's events to the 50th anniversary of SIU-Edwardsville, including concerts featuring Judy Collins and Arlo Guthrie, both of whom appeared at the Mississippi River Festival, which was held on campus during summers in the late 1960s and 1970s. You can order tickets online here.