This Friday and Saturday (September 28 & 29, 2012), the Columbus Jazz Orchestra will begin celebrating its 40th anniversary with special guest Doc Severinsen! After four decades of hot jazz, sellout concerts, collaborations with ballet companies, gospel choirs, and a myriad of creative projects, we’re continuing the rich tradition of high-powered, passionate CJO magic.

I can’t say enough about our incredible guest artist, Doc Severinsen. With a sound that would make Gabriel jealous, he continues to astound me with his tone, technique and fiery upper register acrobatics. Watching him lead the Tonight Show Band still brings back memories of him jamming beside musical guests like Pete Fountain, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dizzy Gillespie. I can tell you that Doc is as excited to be joining us as we are to be performing with him. I can promise you this – in addition to some hot trumpet playing, you’re also gonna witness the CJO in top form. After all, we’ve been planning this concert for four decades!

I don’t want to spoil all the surprises, but we’re also going to celebrate one of the grand traditions of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra by performing a special tribute to Stan Kenton. In the early years, the CJO Kenton Tributes drew sell-out crowds who journeyed from multiple states. Had Kenton lived to see 2012, he would have been 100 years old and I know this weekend’s tribute would have make him proud.

In closing I want to remind you that it’s the individual members of the CJO that bring this music to life. The outstanding musicianship they demonstrate each and every time they hit the stage is absolutely astounding. More than anything, this concert celebrates them and I want you to join me in acknowledging them as members of the greatest big band on earth.

I don’t want you to miss one note of this concert. It will be jam packed with blues, ballads, and fiery rhythms. Throw Doc Severinsen and some Stan Kenton music in the mix and you’re talking about a concert of historic proportions. Please don’t miss this one! The first  FORTY years were just a warm up. You ain’t heard nothin’ yet ’cause the best is yet to come.

Trumpetblowingly Yours,
Byron Stripling