Erin McDougald

When hiring Erin McDougald, be it for an intimate cocktail reception or a concert performance or a steady club date, you can expect, without exception these things:

1. Outstanding music: the band is stellar, their repertoire is very broad and dynamic and the tempos are versatile... Also, no standard will ever sound "just like the recording" and THAT is what makes it jazz! Spontaneous, improvised interplay between the musicians and often a commentary between songs from Erin, to give the listener some insight on how she found the song or what approach they are taking with it. Engaging the audience is a specialty!

2. Well-presented musicians: the band always dresses to impress!

3. Professionalism: from the booking negotiations to the contract signing to the day of the event, Erin or her representatives make sure that your needs (and hers) are clearly defined for a successful endeavor. This often includes visits to the site ahead of time to map out the best way to load in or set up, it can include hiring an on-site sound engineer to monitor and even record the event and it will always include a personal touch with Erin learning the names of your clients or their favorite songs or even something witty about you or your event that she can incorporate into her songs to create a thematic performance just for you!

4. Music to take home: CD's can be purchased ahead of time, signed, even individually wrapped for a bulk rate or sold at the performance to guests/club patrons.

Affectionately known to many as Chicago's very own modern "Flapper Girl", Erin McDougald is a thriving leading lady in the Midwest jazz scene with international exposure and critical acclaim for her gifted voice and stylish innovations. Her music has found it's way to the top of many "best of" lists on National Public Radio, Social Magazines and Entertainment Reviews. With long-standing contracts as the Artist-in-Residence for Chicago's most famed venues, including the historic Allerton Hotel, the Pump Room, Metropole, the Underground Wonder Bar, Green Dolphin Street, Yvette, Toulouse on the Park, Plaza Tavern, The Intercontinental, she has also appeared countless times at Pops for Champagne, Andy's Jazz Club and the world renowned Jazz Showcase.

With a dynamic, witty charisma, exotic look and winning stage presence to go with her sophisticated musicality, she has graced the cover of multiple magazines, including WTTW's City Talk in 2002, where she was hailed in a several page review/feature stating: "A portrait of elegance, composure and class, McDougald sings with a maturity beyond her years, her voice is distinctive for the sum of it's parts and her willingness to take chances with songs... In short, she swings". McDougald has also been strongly featured in the CBS syndicated documentary by journalist Mike Harden, entitled "Route 66: People and Places to Know Along the Mother Road". In 2009, Erin's music was the theme song in filmmaker Rujanee Mahakanjan's documentary about Chicago architects; currently, she is the subject of jazz author Dave Wieczoreck's upcoming book celebrating female jazz singers.

A few years ago, Miss McDougald had the distinct honor of being chosen by the China Jazz Project, where she served as an ambassador of American Jazz to the country's government sponsored educational concert series; other artists on the panel included Roy Haynes, Wayne Shorter, Cassandra Wilson, Diana Krall, Sonny Rollins, Wynton Marsalis, Pat Metheny, Joshua Redman and Dave Brubeck, among others.

Erin's long list of Corporate concerts include those for Disney, Chrysler, Mercedes, Glaxo Smith and Kline, Otis Elevators, Northwestern Hospital, the City of Chicago, the Crohns and Colitis Foundationas well as gratis work for Hospice charities across the Midwest. Erin is a freelance advisor for Columbia College Chicago's Portfolio Program, guiding students in their path to marketing their careers. She performs steadily 3-5 nights a week in Chicago and numerous weeks out of each year across the country; her ensemble ranges from trios to orchestras, depending on the venue and client-needs. Her extensive reviews, photos, CD excerpts and background can be found on her official website: (link hidden)

Contracts are drawn up on a gig to gig basis; every situation is unique. In general, the basic things always needed are: professional spotlight(s), sound equipment/amplification (aka speakers) and typically an acoustic piano. If these things are not available, depending on the event and budget, Flapper Girl Productions can arrange to rent them.