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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.

Videos

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

PRESS

Shows

Previous events

Date Event Location
Friday, May 26 @ 7:00PM Fri, May 26 @ 7:00PM Tributosaurus becomes Doobie Brothers! Theater on the Lake, Chicago Theater on the Lake, Chicago
Thursday, May 25 @ 7:30PM — 10:30PM Thu, May 25 @ 7:30PM — 10:30PM Kara & Friends @ Friendly Tap Friendly Tap, Berwyn Friendly Tap, Berwyn
Wednesday, May 24 @ 7:00PM Wed, May 24 @ 7:00PM The Four C Notes Metropolis Theater , Arlington Heights, IL Metropolis Theater , Arlington Heights, IL
Friday, May 19 @ 7:00PM Fri, May 19 @ 7:00PM Big Suit Talking Heads Tribute Lyric Theater , Blue Island, IL Lyric Theater , Blue Island, IL
Sunday, May 14 @ 11:00AM — 3:00PM Sun, May 14 @ 11:00AM — 3:00PM Standing Room Only Mother's Day celebration Black Barrel Tavern, Chicago, IL Black Barrel Tavern, Chicago, IL
Saturday, May 6 @ 11:00AM — 3:00PM Sat, May 6 @ 11:00AM — 3:00PM Kara Kesselring solo brunch Black Barrel Tavern , Chicago, IL Black Barrel Tavern , Chicago, IL
Thursday, May 4 @ 5:30PM — 8:30PM Thu, May 4 @ 5:30PM — 8:30PM Kara Kesselring & Friends Catch 35 restaurant, Chicago, IL Catch 35 restaurant, Chicago, IL
Thursday, April 27 @ 5:00PM — 8:00PM Thu, Apr 27 @ 5:00PM — 8:00PM Solo Piano/Vocals Parker's , Downers Grove, IL Parker's , Downers Grove, IL
Tuesday, April 25 @ 7:00PM Tue, Apr 25 @ 7:00PM Isaac Lyons Songwriting Anniversary party Fitzgeralds , Berwyn, IL Fitzgeralds , Berwyn, IL
Thursday, April 20 @ 7:00PM — 10:00PM Thu, Apr 20 @ 7:00PM — 10:00PM Kara Kesselring & Patrick Williams Duo LaBarra, Riverside, IL LaBarra, Riverside, IL
Friday, April 7 @ 8:30PM — Saturday, April 8 @ 12:30AM Fri, Apr 7 @ 8:30PM — Sat, Apr 8 @ 12:30AM Kara & Patrick pop duo Black Barrel Old Town Black Barrel Old Town
Thursday, March 30 @ 8:00PM Thu, Mar 30 @ 8:00PM Kara Kesselring & Friends Friendly Tap, Berwyn, IL Friendly Tap, Berwyn, IL
Thursday, March 16 @ 5:30PM — 8:30PM Thu, Mar 16 @ 5:30PM — 8:30PM Kara Kesselring, Patrick Williams, Neal Alger Catch 35 Chicago, Chicago Catch 35 Chicago, Chicago
Saturday, March 4 @ 7:00PM Sat, Mar 4 @ 7:00PM Tribute to Women in Music History Friendly Tap , Berwyn, IL Friendly Tap , Berwyn, IL
Thursday, February 23 @ 7:00PM Thu, Feb 23 @ 7:00PM Jim Barclay's 50th birthday party presents Taylor Swift 1989 Album Reggies, Chicago Reggies, Chicago
Saturday, February 18 @ 8:00PM Sat, Feb 18 @ 8:00PM The Great Pretenders Raue Center Theater, Crystal Lake IL Raue Center Theater, Crystal Lake IL
Friday, November 12, 2021 @ 7:00PM — 11:00PM Fri, Nov 12, 2021 @ 7:00PM — 11:00PM Solo piano/vocals Jameson’s Charhouse , Countryside, IL Jameson’s Charhouse , Countryside, IL
Thursday, October 28, 2021 @ 7:00PM — 10:00PM Thu, Oct 28, 2021 @ 7:00PM — 10:00PM Kara Kesselring La Barra, Riverside, IL La Barra, Riverside, IL
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 @ 5:30PM — 8:30PM Wed, Oct 27, 2021 @ 5:30PM — 8:30PM Trio with Neal Alger & Patrick Williams Catch 35 Chicago, Chicago, IL Catch 35 Chicago, Chicago, IL
Thursday, September 30, 2021 @ 7:00PM — 10:00PM Thu, Sep 30, 2021 @ 7:00PM — 10:00PM Kara Kesselring La Barra Restaurant, Riverside, IL La Barra Restaurant, Riverside, IL
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