The Jazz Arts Group’s 1984-1985 concert series “Big Band 80’s” began with an opening concert celebrating the American songbook. Tia Harris, Dick Mackey, Meg Murphy, and Bobby Pierce joined JAG for two wonderful nights of American jazz. The rest of the season included appearances by Jon Faddis, Vince Andrews, Kelly Crum, Frank Wess, and Gary Burton, and concluded with JAG’s Fifth Annual Salute to Kenton, featuring John Von Ohlen and Michele Horsefield.

 

THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK, VOL. 1

Featuring Meg Murphy, Tia Harris, Dick Mackey, and Bobby Pierce

Big Band 80’s Guest Artist Series
October 27-28, 1984 | Battelle Auditorium

This concert was the first of what we hoped would be a series of yearly concerts featuring America’s greatest music. That year, vocalists Meg Murphy, Dick Mackey, Bobby Pierce, and Bobby Shaw sang the music of Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, George Gershwin, Marvin Hamlish, and Paul McCartney, to name just a few. In addition, there were a number of great new arrangements by Vaughn Weister and Gary Carney and a reprise of JAG’s own version of “Rhapsody in Blue.” Program selections were announced from the stage.

Performers:

Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Jim Gallagher, Jim Carroll, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Vaughn Wiester, Ola Hanson, Gary Carney, Gary Twining

Trumpets
Wes Orr,  Bob Everhart, Stan Gilliland, Don Johnson

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Steve Grier – Percussion

 

JON FADDIS

Featuring Vince Andrews and Kelly Crum

Big Band 80’s Guest Artist Series
December 1-2, 1984 | Battelle Auditorium

The second series concert found JAG hosting trumpeter Jon Faddis. In musician circles he was considered one of the heavyweights of Jazz. Faddis is the prodigy of Dizzy Gillespie who said of Faddis, “He’s the greatest—me included.” Also on the bill for this exciting evening was Columbus’ own saxophonist Vince Andrews and vocalist Kelly Crum. Program selections were announced from the stage.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Jim Gallagher, Jim Carroll, Al Goelz, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Vaughn Wiester, Marc Fields, Gary Carney, Gary Twining

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Stan Gilliland, Don Johnson

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Steve Grier – Percussion

THE COUNT, THE DUKE, AND OTHERS OF NOTE

Featuring Frank Wess

Big Band 80’s Guest Artist Series
January 26-27, 1985 | Battelle Auditorium

In the previous five years, two of the biggest names in Big Band Jazz passed from the scene. The music of Basie and Ellington is revisited with tenor man and former Basie-ite Frank Wess, our special guest. Others “of note” included Boyd Raeburn, Elliot Lawrence, and Claude Thornhill. Vocalist Mary McClendon also gifted us with her vocal talents to this concert. 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, Vaughn Wiester

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Stan Gilliland, Don Johnson

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums

BIG BAND TODAY

Featuring Gary Burton & Tia Harris

Big Band 80’s Guest Artist Series
March 2-3, 1985 | Battelle Auditorium

Burton was one of the most popular and exciting musicians of the day’s Jazz scene. His duets with pianist Chic Corea were acknowledged as musical masterpieces. Combined with the Jazz Arts Group, this concert set off the musical fireworks of the season. Burton also favored us with some of his original compositions and then we talked him into a musical conversation with our own Hank Marr. 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, Vaughn Wiester

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bobby Everhart, Stan Gilliland, Jerry Kaye

Rhythm Section
Bobby Pierce – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums  | Steve Grier – Percussion

FIFTH ANNUAL SALUTE TO STAN KENTON 

Featuring John Von Ohlen and Michele Horsefield

Big Band 80’s Guest Artist Series
April 27-28, 1985 | Battelle Auditorium

Columbus was the only city in the world where the lovers of this man’s music could gather on an annual basis to hear it recreated with such accuracy and love. The previous two sell-outs included patrons traveling from Chicago, Indianapolis, Dayton, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, making this concert a truly regional event. Drummer John Von Ohlen once again performed as guest artist and Michele Horsefield treated us to songs of Stan’s favorite vocalists. What a concluding concert! 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, Vaughn Wiester, Ted Hale

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bobby Everhart, Stan Gilliland, Jerry Kaye, Don Johnson

Rhythm Section
Dave Wheeler – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums  | Steve Grier – Percussion