On September 1st 2012 at 7 PM, Chicagoans will have the chance to hear on the city's best- kept secrets, saxophone virtuoso, composer and improviser extraordinaire D-Erania (Donella Stampley). Surrounded by her electrifying band she will appear on the stage of The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Academy Arts Theatre on west 119th street. Proceeds from the concert will go to Illinois Blessing, a charitable organization that helps the state's needy families.
An autodidact and child prodigy, D-Erania started playing the piano at age 3 and still uses it as a compositional tool. During her senior year in high school, influenced by Wayne Shorter and after discovering a Cohn alto in the attic she switched to saxophone.
Although her main axe is the soprano sax, on which she has a soaring, warn and emotion laden sound, her repertoire includes a resonant and thick toned alto and soulful and impeccable vocals.
She released her freshman album, D-Eraniaʼs Offerings of Love in 2005 and despite being a busy wife, mother, gym owner and personal trainer she can be heard at various venues around town.
Even though her debut record provides an engaging and delightful listen, her live appearances are a unique experience with the almost palpable creative energy in her R & B inflected, complex solos and group play.
