1975 – 1976 Season
OLIVER NELSON
September 14, 1975 | Ohio Theatre
Oliver Nelson was one of the brightest composer-arrangers of the day. He wrote for TV shows such as The Million Dollar Man, Ironside, Chase, and Night Gallery, and arranged for such greats as Jimmy Smith. Nelson also recorded many albums under his own name. His Black, Brown, & Beige, Berlin Dialogue, and his new Skull Session were all rated 5 stars in Downbeat. Program selections were announced from the stage.
Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks
Saxophones
Burdette Green, Jim Gallagher, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline
Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Gary Carney, George Moran
Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Birkhimer, Stan Gilliland, Ray Eubanks, Larry Spencer
Rhythm Section
Charles Vedder – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Jim Curlis – Drums | Pat Ankrom – Percussion | Kevin Willmering – Percussion
LADD McINTOSH
November 9, 1975 | Ohio Theatre
Former Columbus Jazz man, McIntosh returned to lead the orchestra in a new work commissioned by The Arts Groups. McIntosh received critic’s acclaim as one of the outstanding composers of the decade. He was in great demand as a clinician and adjudicator and directed the All-Star Band at the Monterey Jazz Festival with Oliver Nelson for three years. Program selections were announced from the stage.
Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks
Saxophones
Burdette Green, Jim Gallagher, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline
Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Gary Carney, George Moran
Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Birkhimer, Stan Gilliland, Ray Eubanks, Larry Spencer
Horns
Sue Kyncor, David Gillum, Todd Swatsler, Tom Warfield
Rhythm Section
Charles Vedder – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Jim Curlis – Drums | Pat Ankrom – Percussion | Kevin Willmering – Percussion
BILLY HARPER AND MANNY ALBAM
January 25, 1976 | Ohio Theatre
Manny Albam was one of the great arranging and composing talents to come out of the Big Band Era. He arranged for Woody, Basie, Rich, Ella, Pearl, Sarah, James, Moody, Hubert Laws, and many more. The world premier of his “Discover” as commissioned by the N.E.A. highlighted the second half of the program. Billy Harper was one of the most exciting new figures on the contemporary jazz scene in the day. He was voted outstanding tenor player in two Downbeat critic polls. He was also a composer and arranger of considerable talent. This program featured the world premier of a new Harper composition commissioned by the Arts Group of the National Endowment for the Arts. Program selections were announced from the stage.
Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks
Saxophones
Burdette Green, Jim Gallagher, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline
Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Gary Carney, George Moran
Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Birkhimer, Stan Gilliland, Ray Eubanks, Larry Spencer
Horns
Sue Kyncor, David Gillum, Todd Swatsler, Janet Chesebrough
Rhythm Section
Charles Vedder – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Jim Curlis – Drums | Kevin Willmering – Percussion | Pat Ankrom – Percussion | Jeff Tyuf – Piano
ERNIE WILKINS AND ROLAND HANNA
March 21, 1976 | Battelle Auditorium
Ernie Wilkins, principal contributor to Clark Terry’s Big Bad Band, as well as a member of the saxophone section of that outstanding band, was a writer of considerable stature. Ernie spent much of his time in Europe and JAG felt very fortunate to be able to bring this artist to Columbus. Roland Hanna was the first pianist to appear with the Arts Group. He established himself as a leading composer through his many contributions to the Thad Jones – Mel Lewis library and his solo piano performance at the 1975 Newport Jazz Festival was acclaimed as one of the greatest individual performances ever heard there. Program selections were announced from the stage.
Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks
Saxophones
Burdette Green, Jim Gallagher, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline
Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Gary Carney, George Moran
Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Birkhimer, Stan Gilliland, Ray Eubanks, Larry Spencer
Horns
Sue Kyncor, David Gillum, Todd Swatsler, Janet Chesebrough
Rhythm Section
Charles Vedder – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Jim Curlis – Drums | Kevin Willmering – Percussion | Pat Ankrom – Percussion
TOM SCOTT
April 25, 1976 | Ohio Theatre
Tom Scott, the outstanding west coast woodwind virtuoso, composer-arranger was the previous season’s most popular performer. A veteran arranger and Tony Award winner at the ripe old age of 25, he wrote for Joni Mitchell, Barbara Streisand, and Carole King, to name a few (he was the “JAZZMAN”), and composed the music for the TV series Baretta. Program selections were announced from the stage.
Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks
Saxophones
Burdette Green, Jim Gallagher, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline
Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Gary Carney, George Moran
Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Birkhimer, Stan Gilliland, Ray Eubanks, Larry Spencer
Horns
Sue Kyncor, David Gillum, Todd Swatsler, Janet Chesebrough
Rhythm Section
Charles Vedder – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Jim Curlis – Drums | Pat Ankrom – Percussion | Kevin Wilmering – Percussion
