The Jazz Arts Group’s 1985-1986 concert series, “The Legend Lives” began with an opening concert celebrating the American song from the 20’s to the present – a chronology of the greatness of an American Art featuring many special guests. Bill Watrous and Tia Harris returned to the Jazz Arts Group for four electrifying performances. “Big Band Blast” featured Howard Johnson, Gene Walker and Kelly Crum in an unusual concert with the master of low brass. Harry “Sweets” Edison, Vince Andrews, and Mary McClendon were featured in “The Count, The Duke and ‘Sweets'”, and John Von Ohlen and Michele Horsefield joined us for the sixth annual salute to Kenton.

 

WITH MELODY IN MIND

Featuring Shellie Jacobs, Jeanette Williams, Dave Wheeler, Rusty Bryant, and Bobby Pierce

The Legend Lives Guest Artist Series
October 26-27, 1985 | Battelle Memorial

The subject of our opening concert was the American song from the 20’s to the present – a chronology of the greatness of an American Art. Chief arranger, Vaughn Wiester joined pens with Gary Carney to create masterful arrangements for special guests Dave Wheeler (clarinet), Bobby Pierce (piano and vocals), Shelly Jacobs (vocals), and Jeanette Williams (vocals). JAG explored the music of Gershwin, Porter, Rodgers, Arlen, LeGrande, Wonder, and many others in an evening designed WITH MELODY IN MIND! 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, Stan Gilliland, Jerry Kaye, Bob Everhart

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Bobby Pierce – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Steve Grier – Congas

 

BIG BAND BLAST

Featuring Howard Johnson, Gene Walker, and Tia Harris

The Legend Lives Guest Artist Series
December 6-7, 1985 | Battelle Memorial

The second series concert was one of the most unusual ones we’ve ever produced. New York’s Howard Johnson was a master of the low instrument family, and we heard him on baritone sax, tuba, bass clarinet, and if we were all really nice, maybe even the bassoon. Musicians have been aware of this man’s extraordinary ability for over a decade, but the public knows him best as the jive talking musician of a famous beer commercial. Joining Howard was tenor sax man, Gene Walker, former Lee Morgan – King Curtis sideman, and the always popular Kelly Crum. Ray Eubanks and the orchestra held forth in a program well mixed with something old, something new, borrowed and blue. This concert was quite a musical marriage! 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, Stan Gilliland, Jerry Kaye, Bob Everhart

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Bobby Pierce – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Steve Grier – Congas

THE COUNT, THE DUKE, AND “SWEETS”

Featuring Harry Edison, Vince Andrews, and Mary McClendon

The Legend Lives Guest Artist Series
January 25-26, 1986 | Battelle Memorial

The previous year’s salute to the venerable giants of Big Band Jazz was so popular that we decided to do an encore, only with DIFFERENT music! Joining us for this evening was former Basie-ite and Columbus native Harry “Sweets” Edison. The Los Angeles-based “Sweets” was one of the true legends of American music and his sparkling, humorous trumpet style was known throughout the world. Vince Andrews returned on sax and JAG’s own Mary McClendon sang the Duke’s music as only she can. 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, Stan Gilliland, Jerry Kaye, Bob Everhart

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Bobby Pierce – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Steve Grier – Congas

AN EVENING WITH BILL WATROUS

Featuring Kelly Crum

The Legend Lives Guest Artist Series
March 8-9, 1986 | Battelle Memorial

Downbeat poll winner and world renowned trombonist, Bill Watrous returned to our stage after a three year absence. Musicians  the world over have stood in awe of this man’s technical and musical ability on one of the most difficult of the wind instruments. “He stands alone as the master of the instrument,” stated the ‘New York Time.’ His Manhattan Wildlife Refuge orchestra produced Grammy nominated albums in 1976 and 1977, and his Refuge West orchestra was a Los Angeles favorite. 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, Stan Gilliland, Jerry Kaye, Bob Everhart

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Bobby Pierce – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums  | Steve Grier – Congas

SIXTH ANNUAL SALUTE TO STAN KENTON 

Featuring John Von Ohlen and Michele Horsefield

The Legend Lives Guest Artist Series
April 25-27, 1986 | Battelle Memorial

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

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

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Bobby Pierce – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums  | Steve Grier –Congas