Glen Ellyn venue to present Blue Note Records 80th anniversary concert

GLEN ELLYN – Prince once described Blue Note Records jazz artist Kandace Springs as having a voice that could melt snow.

Springs and fellow Blue Note artists James Francies and the James Carter Organ Trio will perform at 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn in celebration of Blue Note Records’ 80th anniversary. WDCB 90.9-FM is the media sponsor for the show.

Kane County Chronicle reporter Eric Schelkopf had the chance to talk to Springs about the upcoming show. The interview has been edited for length and style.

Eric Schelkopf: Of course, you are touring as part of Blue Note’s 80th anniversary. Are you honored to be a part of this tour?

Kandace Springs: Absolutely, yes. It’s kind of a big deal, you know? We all feel really honored to be part of it.

Schelkopf: You and your fellow label mates on this tour all have different styles.

Springs: James Carter and James Francies are so talented. And I’ve been working with these girls now that play for me as part of an all-girl band. So that will be a little treat to close the show with. They are so talented and they are beautiful.

Schelkopf: You are going to release your third Blue Note record, “The Women Who Raised Me,” early next year. What should people expect from the new album?

Springs: That album is going to be pretty much straight ahead jazz. My second album was pretty much a crossover album. I’m not just a jazz artist. I’m a mix of everything. But my roots are in jazz.

This new record is a tribute to all the female singers that inspired me, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, Billie Holiday, Eva Cassidy and the list goes on and on.

I do a song for each of them on this record. Christian McBride played on it along with David Sanborn and I did a duet with Norah Jones, which was so great.

We play the songs from the record in our new set, so you’ll get to hear a lot of new songs. It’s an album that I’ve always wanted to make.

My dad was my biggest influence, ultimately. He’s a soul singer in Nashville. He gave me a Norah Jones album and albums by Diana Krall and Roberta Flack and I got hooked on them. He’s an amazing singer, Scat Springs.

Schelkopf: Prince said that you had a voice that could melt snow. How did you react to him saying that? Did his compliment make you feel like you were on the right path?

Springs: Yeah. He gave me some guidance, too. I’m glad he helped me. I always wanted to do jazz, with real music and real instruments always involved. That was my preference. He always was a strong advocate for that.

He told me, “Don’t cover up your voice. It’s all about your tone and texture. That’s what sets you apart.”

If you go

WHAT: Blue Note Records 80th Birthday concert

WHEN: 6 p.m. Nov. 10

WHERE: Belushi Performance Hall, McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn

COST: Tickets start at $55

INFO: atthemac.org, 630-942-4000