Playing Singing Mama
Keyboard/Vocals/Arranger/Educator
Pianist, vocalist, and arranger Kara Kesselring is a bustling freelance musician and dedicated educator based in Chicago. For over a decade she’s mined the Windy City’s vibrant music scene, establishing an eclectic career.
Highlights include playing keys and singing in the Tony award-winning smash hit Jersey Boys (National Tour, Broadway in Chicago); touring with, arranging, and accompanying breakout PBS retro-rock sensation Under the Streetlamp; as well as composing, arranging, and performing around the globe for educational comedy troupe Wavelength. www.wavelength.biz.
Kara made her music directing debut on the show, A Taste of Things to Come at the Chicago Broadway Playhouse. She had the opportunity to sub on Broadway shows Waitress, A Bronx Tale and The Grinch. She has worked at many Chicago theaters such as Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Marriott Lincolnshire Theater.
A talented songwriter, Kara leads the homespun country/folk group Sugarcreek Road. Her original music is featured on the album, “Hurry Up & Relax." www.sugarcreekroad.com
Kara is the bandleader/keyboards/vocals of the celebrated and award winning society band Standing Room Only Orchestra. www.onthedancefloor.com
She performs at several Chicago piano bars including Mastro's Steakhouse, Perry's Steakhouse, The Drake, The Pump Room, Stetson’s-Hyatt Regency, and Benny’s Chophouse.
Other notable venues include Chicago Symphony Hall, Taste Of Chicago Festival, Old Town School Of Folk Music, Park West, Club Nokia (Los Angeles), and MGM Grand (Las Vegas).
Other recordings include If I Should Lose You, Sonho Meu, Calling All Kids, and The Grandma Project.
What people are saying....
"Remember when music made you happy--plain simple happy--touched something inside you, and made you feel like someone out there knew how you felt? The art of folk music is just that, and perfectly captured in this wonderful album. A journey forward yes, but back as well to the first day you heard a song that changed forever what music would be mean to you. How would you not keep coming home to that?" - George Adamczyk
"From twang-tinged folk to pretty pop and on through to a smattering of jazz...plus a lullaby...this album spans a great range of genres with ease. Backed by rock-solid musicians and her own deeply versatile vocals, Kara Kesselring deftly leads the charge on this new album from Sugarcreek Road. Enjoyable on so many levels and organized really well in terms of the energy and genre shifts, many tastes will be satiated by this album!"- Jenna Murfin