North Central College presents the Chicago Jazz Orchestra for its performance of Duke Ellington’s “The First Concert of Sacred Music” on Feb. 27.
The performance begins at 8PM Saturday, Feb. 27, in the College’s Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave.
Tickets are $45 and $40; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/show.
Above / The Chicago Jazz Orchestra will perform in Wentz Concert Hall on Feb. 27. (Photo courtesy NCC)
Some 50 years after the debut of “The First Concert of Sacred Music” by the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra will perform the complete work, featuring baritone Robert Sims, vocalist Tammy McCann and the 30-voice Lakeside Singers, under the artistic direction of Robert Bowker.
A 17-piece premier jazz ensemble, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra has garnered national and international recognition and been at the forefront of presenting performances of classic American jazz orchestra repertoire to diverse audiences.
Brief Overview of Chicago Jazz Orchestra (CJO)
The CJO is Chicago’s oldest professional jazz orchestra in continuous operation and among the oldest jazz repertory orchestras in the country. Conductor and Artistic Director Jeff Lindberg is one of the foremost transcribers in jazz and the Orchestra’s repertoire draws upon his vast library, including works of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Benny Carter, Oliver Nelson, Ray Charles and many others.
The Orchestra appears at a variety of venues and institutions across the Chicago metropolitan area, including the Spertus Institute (Venue SIX10), University of Chicago, Symphony Center, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Midway Plaisance, Andy’s Jazz Club, Francis W. Parker School and Evanston’s Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. The CJO has served as the resident orchestra for the Kennedy Center Honors Supper Dance for more than 25 years. It has toured Europe twice and performed with such artists as Nancy Wilson, Louis Bellson, Herbie Hancock, Jon Faddis, Kurt Elling, Dizzy Gillespie, Jack McDuff, Kenny Burrell and many more.
The CJO’s recording, “Clark Terry and Jeff Lindberg’s Chicago Jazz Orchestra: George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess,” received widespread critical acclaim, including a nomination as Jazz Album of The Year by the Jazz Journalist’s Association and a rare Five Star rating by DownBeat magazine. It also made the annual top CDs lists of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jazz Times and Jazz Education Journal. To celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2013, the CJO released “Burstin’ Out,” which features vocalist Cyrille Aimée on a diverse album of classic and original jazz arrangements.
Thanks for supporting the arts! Think dinner & the show.
North Central College’s 2015-2016 Fine and Performing Arts Season is partially sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, Nicor Gas, Advanced Data Technologies, Savant Capital Management, USG Corporation, Monarch Landing, Naperville Special Events and Cultural Amenities Fund, Illinois Arts Council Agency, DuPage Foundation and Naperville Development Partnership.
This performance is among many ongoing programs at North Central College to enrich and broaden the cultural and academic outlook for the College and community. North Central offers a variety of venues accommodating a rich range of local and world-class events, performances and space needs for the public. For a comprehensive schedule of musical performances, theatrical and dance productions, art exhibits and more, visit northcentralcollege.edu/show or call the box office at 630-637-SHOW (7469).
The North Central College Fine Arts Center is located at 171 E. Chicago Ave., just steps from many restaurants in downtown Naperville.
Submitted by Nancy Dunker, associate director of media relations, for North Central College
