Lombard Historical Society Presents Angela James in Concert!

You might call Angela James’ voice arresting. Her rich, crooning style is clearly inspired by singers from her upbringing in Tennessee; names like Hazel Dickens and Neko Case aren’t far reaching comparisons. James’ new album, Now That I Have You, is an embrace and celebration of a new phase of life as an artist and comes as a special-edition double LP along with her second full-length album Time Will Tell (2016)- finally seeing a proper release six years later.

Though Time Will Tell was an ambitious step into freeing songs from more traditional forms and into the verdant world of Chicago’s improvised music scene, the questions of what might happen to her artistic life after parenthood ultimately became a self-fulfilling prophecy- James didn’t put the record on streaming services until 2020.  “I sound like I’m looking for something and not finding it,” James remarks while listening to a past version of herself. Time Will Tell is replete with questions of how one balances caregiving and creativity, Now That I Have You provides the answers and is a triumphant return to her strengths as a songwriter and performer.

James also performs in a contemplative music duo called Shivering Sands with her partner Jordan Martins and teaches early childhood music classes throughout Chicago. She believes that songwriting and musical collaboration and improvisation are possible at any age. 

This FREE concert will be in the William J Mueller Gazebo.

This is an outdoor concert. Please bring your own chair.