The Jazz Arts Group’s 1986-1987 Guest Artist Series featured artists and themes that had resonated within the Columbus community since the inception of the band. The season presented “Gershwin Alive!” for the second time and continued the annual traditions of “The Count and the Duke” and the Kenton salute. Clark Terry and Louie Bellson, who have been featured countless times since the first season in 1973, return once again to the Battelle Auditorium.

 

GERSHWIN ALIVE!

Featuring Vince Andrews, Mary McClendon, Meg Murphy, Bob Pierce, and Jeanette Williams

Guest Artist Series
October 24-26, 1986 | Battelle Memorial

America knows and loves the music of George Gershwin – “Porgy and Bess,” “Rhapsody in Blue,” “I Got Rhythm,” “Lady Be Good.” However, it’s a rare occasion when the music can be heard in the medium for which Gershwin’s ears intended it, the American Big Band. Our fourteenth season openedwith one of the most exciting programs we’ve produced in recent years. The JAG Orchestra and our all star cast were set to dazzle your ears with the best of this American master. Those of you who heard this concert five years previously had been clamoring for a repeat. For our new Friday and Saturday nighters we could hardly wait to play this one for you! Program selections were announced from the stage.

Performers:

Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Jim Gallagher, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline

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

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

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

 

AN EVENING WITH CLARK TERRY

Featuring Tia Harris and Jim Carroll

Guest Artist Series
December 5-7, 1986 | Southern Series

The weather was cold but Battelle was hot with the trumpet sounds of the amiable Mr. C.T., Clark Terry, the fiery tenor of former Woody Herman Herdsman, Jim Carroll, and the searing vocal stylings of Tia Harris. C.T.’s career was meteoric as he moved from the jazz trumpet chair of the Ellington Band of the 50’s to a position in the NBC Tonight Show Orchestra. He initiated the famous “Stump the Band” segment and broke up audiences with his hilarious mumbles routine in response to the audiences “stumping” efforts. Terry had become an International Star in his own right and we looked forward to his return to our stage. Selections included: Backroad, Sing Sing Sing, Old Man River, Vaughn’s Venture, Jitterbug Waltz, Tee Pee Time, Mine Too, Sheba, Mumbles, On the Trail, Shell Game, The Stroller, Big Bad Band, Come Sunday, Cherry, Once I Loved, Cold Tater Stomp, No Regrets, Moon River, There Will Never Be Another You, and Body and Soul.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Jim Gallagher, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline

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

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

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

THE COUNT, THE DUKE – NORRIS AND NIGHTRAIN

Featuring Norris Turney, Rusty Bryant, and Karen Massie

Guest Artist Series
January 30-February 1, 1987 | Battelle Memorial

This annual salute was one of our favorite concerts. “And the Beat Goes On” with our third annual salute to these venerable giants of Big Band Jazz. Joining us were two living legends, Norris Turney and our own Rusty “Nightrain” Bryant. An evening of high powered Big Band Swing was in store with “One O’clock Jump,” “A Train,” “Mood Indigo” and “Sophisticated Lady,” just for openers…plus the swinging vocal sounds of Karen Massie. Selections included: 920 Special, One O’Clock Jump, Jumpin’ At The Woodside, Satin Doll, Jessica’s Day, Splanky, Taps Miller, April In Paris, All Of Me, Perdido, Ellington Medley (Mood Indigo, I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good, Things Ain’t What They Used To Be), “C” Jam Blues, Prelude To A Kiss, Battle Royal, I Let A Song Go Out of My Heart, In A Mellowtone, It Don’t Mean A Thing, and Ain’t Misbehavin’.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Jim Gallagher, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline

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

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

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

 

 

BIG BAND TODAY WITH LOUIE BELLSON

Featuring Kelly Crum and Bobby Floyd

Guest Artist Series
March 6-8, 1987 | Battelle Memorial

Once called “the world’s greatest drummer” by Duke Ellington, Louie Bellson brought his driving beat to Columbus for his third appearance with the Jazz Arts Group. A veteran of the bands of Ellington, Goodman, Harry James and many others, Bellson was an accomplished performer, composer, and conductor of music for himself and his wife, Pearl Bailey. Louie’s awesome technique and musicianship, along with his warm personality made him one of the country’s most popular and respected musicians. The Jazz Arts Group was thrilled to welcome Louie Bellson back to Columbus along with the ever popular Kelly Crum and exciting new talent, Bobby Floyd. This will surely be an exciting big band event. Selections included: Autumn In New York, I Get A Kick Out Of You, One Note Samba, Ultrasonic High, Tribute, Blues For Freddy, Louie Rides Again, Why Do I Love You, What Makes Moses Run, Lover Man, Eastside Story Suite (Park Avenue Strut, Tiffany’s Corner, Village Hangout), With Bells On, Can’t Stop My Leg, and The Drum Squad.

Performers:

Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Jim Gallagher, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline

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

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

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

SEVENTH ANNUAL SALUTE TO STAN KENTON WITH LEE KONITZ

Featuring Michele Horsefield

Guest Artist Series
April 23-26, 1987 | Battelle Memorial

Columbus was the only city in the world where the lovers of this man’s music can gather annually to hear it recreated with such accuracy and love. The previous three sellouts included people from Chicago, Indianapolis, Dayton, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, making this concert a truly regional event. Michele Horsefield gifted us with songs of Stan’s favorite vocalists. Another international jazz giant, Lee Konitz, sat in for what has to be our greatest salute ever…and that’s really saying something! Selections included: Artistry In Rhythm (Theme), Eager Beaver, Jump For Joe, Willow Weep For Me, He Was A Good Man As Good Men Go, Cherokee, Of All Things, End Of A Love Affair, Lover Man, Interlude, I Concentrate On You, Come Back To Sorrento, Peanut Vendor (El Manisero), Send In The Clowns, Younger Than Springtime, West Side Story Suite (Prologue, Something’s Coming, Maria, America, Tonight, Cool, Officer Krupke, Taunting Scene, Somewhere), I’ll Take Romance, and In Lighter Vein.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Jim Gallagher, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline

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

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

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