Spider Saloff - From Broadway to Jazz (2024)

She’s been heard around the world as the host/ star of the syndicated public radio series Words and Music, but for thousands the most familiar way to enjoy the jazz stylings of Spider Saloff has been through live performances. The Chicago –based jazz vocalist has won accolades around the world for her introspective approach to the genre, most profoundly through her one-woman tribute to George Gershwin, The Memory of All That, conceived with the blessing of the Gershwin estate and headlining the Gershwin Centennial in St. Petersburg, Russia.

With full symphony orchestras or intimate jazz groups, Saloff is acclaimed as one of the great interpreters of the American Songbook. Saloff has composed multiple concert tributes to Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Stephen Sondheim and many others. With her vocal partners, Dee Alexander and Frieda Lee, she performed The 3 Ellas Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald to audiences of over 26,000 at Chicago’s Millennium Park as well as many other venues.

Saloff’s concert career includes recent performances at the Poznan Poland Jazz Fest, The Pheasantry in London, as well as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Overture Center, Ravinia Music Festival, The Auditorium Theater, and the Smithsonian Institution.

Days after receiving the acclaimed Bistro Award in New York, Spider Saloff will present a Tribute to the great Irving Berlin who wrote for over 6 decades and influenced American song, particularly jazz forever. Along with pianist Pete Benson and award winning saxophonist Eric Schneider, the Berlin tribute will be featured throughout all 3 sets during the evening of classic jazz. Endorsed by the Berlin family, Saloff will include stories about the amazing life or Irving Berlin told with her special brand of humor.

Eric Schneider was born and raised in the Chicago area. After graduating from the University of Illinois and four years of extensive touring with Earl Fatha' Hines and two years with Count Basie and his Orchestra (recording with both), Eric returned to Chicago and embarked on a richly diverse career that blends studio work, concert performances and jazz festivals, both in and out of town. Mr. Schneider has also performed with such greats as Ella FitzGerald, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Clark Terry, Joe Williams, Benny Goodman, and Rosemary Clooney.