In the 26th season, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra paid tribute to jazz greats like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole. Guest artists included Carmen Bradford, Freddy Cole, and Tito Puente. The 1998-1999 season even featured three different quartets making a full dozen stars to join the CJO in one concert!

Season Sponsor: Ohio Arts Council, Greater Columbus Arts Council, and The Columbus Foundation

Stompin’ At The Southern Sponsors: Honda of America, Infiniti of Dublin, Huntington Bank, Grange Insurance, and Wendy’s International, Inc.

Pop Swings Eternal At The Palace Sponsors: Kroger Co., Nationwide Insurance, and Wolfe Enterprises, Inc.

 

TERRY GIBBS AND BUDDY DEFRANCO

Pops Swings Eternal at the Palace Series
October 28 – November 1, 1998 | Palace Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Wendy’s International, Inc.

Kicking off the 26th season of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, xylophonist Terry Gibbs and clarinetist Buddy DeFranco joined the Columbus Jazz Orchestra to play an outstanding repertoire of swingin’ music. Gibbs began his musical journey pounding out rhythms on the sides of his playpen at age two. He went on in his amateur career to win a Major Bowes Amateur Hour contest by playing Flight of the Bumblebee on the xylophone in 45 seconds. DeFranco began his own career at the age of nine and by age 14 he had won a national Tommy Dorsey Swing contest and had played with Gene Krupa. The two talented featured artists joined together once before in 1980 and were dubbed by critics “the Lionel Hampton and Benny Goodman of the bop genre.” Selections included: Don’t Be That Way, Stompin’ At The Southern, Hamp’s Boogie, Avenue “C”, Gershwin Medley, Blues In The Night, Yesterdays, Out Of Nowhere, Why Was I Born, Sing Sing Sing, Flying Home, and I Got Rhythm.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Michael Cox, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Gary Carney, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer, Jerry Kaye, Dean Congin

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

ROARING RAGTIME

Featuring Terry Waldo and Ruth Brisbane
Stompin’ at the Southern Series
December 2-6, 1998 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Grange Insurance

Pianist Terry Waldo and singers Ruth Brisbane and Ty Stephens were featured on the stage with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra in 1998. The performance was filled from top to bottom with ragtime blues and stompin’ beats. Selections included: Alexander’s Ragtime Band, I Love a Piano, Charleston Rag, Twelfth Street Rag, Sally Trombone, Yellow Dog Rag, The Memphis Blues, Maple Leaf Rag, That Teasin’ Rag, Castle House Rag, Some Sweet Day, Swing That Music, Jubilee Stomp, Ring Dem Bells, East St. Louis Toodle-oo, Echoes Of Harlem, St. Louis Blues, Wrappin’ It Up, Down South Camp Meeting, Big John Special, Charleston, Black Bottom Stomp, and Swing Time In The Rockies.

 

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

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

Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Stan Smith – Guitar | Lou Fischer – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums

Violin
Eliza McGowan

Flute
Katherine Borst Jones

Cello
Bill Conable

THE FAB FOURS

Featuring Four Aces, Ink Spots, and Four Freshmen
Pop Swings Eternal at The Palace Series
January 23, 1999 | Palace Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Kroger Co.

A dozen featured artists graced the stage with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra for this concert. Appearing in three groups of four, the Four Aces, Ink Spots, and Four Freshman each brought their own jazzy identity to the Palace Theatre. The Four Aces appeared consistently on the charts of the 1950’s with their members Al Alberts, Dave Mahoney, Louis Silvestri, and Rosario (Sod) Vaccaro. Their hits included Tell Me Why/ A Garden In The Rain, Perfidia, I’ll Never Smile Again, Stranger In Paradise, and their very first hit Three Coins In The Fountain. The Ink Spots generated more than 80 hits in the six decades prior to this performance. The original group formed in 1932 with Ivory “Deek” Watson, Charles Fuqua, and Jerry Daniels. Orville “Hoppy” Jones joined the group soon after and Bill Kenny replaced Daniels. Their first major hit was If I Didn’t Care in 1939, which sold over 19 million copies. The final quartet was The Four Freshmen, who joined forces in 1948 as students at Butler University. The original group consisted of brothers Ross and Don Barbour, their cousin Bob Flanigan, and Hal Kratzsch. Their sound is more akin to a big band brass section than a vocal quartet which led Stan Kenton to convince Capitol to sign them in 1950. Their hits include It’s A Blue World, Little Girl Blue, We’ll Be Together Again, and My Shining Hour. Program selections were announced from the stage.

Performers:
Artistic Director: Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Michael Cox, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer, Jerry Kaye

Rhythm Section
Tim Davis – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Matt Wagner – Drums

 

ELLINGTON AT 100

Featuring Carmen Bradford and Norris Turney
Stompin’ At The Southern Series
February 17-21, 1999 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Huntington Bank

 “Duke Ellington touched more people than confetti.” An oh so true statement made by Wynton Marsalis regarding the incomparable Edward Kennedy Ellington. Born in April of 1899, Duke would have turned 100 years old just a few months after this concert. Carmen Bradford, one of the audience’s favorite vocalists, and Norris Turney, a saxophonist in Ellington’s band, came together with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra for an unforgettable birthday celebration. Selections included: Take The “A” Train, Mood Indigo, I’ve Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good, Things Ain’t What They Used To Be, I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart, Satin Doll, Sophisticated Lady, Solitude, I’m Beginning To See The Light, Rocks In My Bed, Love You Madly, I’m Just A Lucky So And So, Just Squeeze Me, In A Mellow Tone, Kinda Dukish, Rockin In Rhythm, Cottontail, Do Nothin’ ‘Till You Hear From Me, and Drop Me Off In Harlem.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Vince Andrews, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer, Jerry Kaye, Lee Savory

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Derek DiCenzo – Guitar | Al Berry – Bass | Lou Fischer – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums

MAMBO KING

Featuring Tito Puente
Stompin’ At The Southern Series
March 24-28, 1999 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Columbus Fair Auto Auction

The King of Latin Jazz, Tito Puente, begged to be a part of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s 25 anniversary celebration, and so of course they said yes! Puente was considered a child prodigy in Spanish Harlem by the age of 13. His career has taken him to Juilliard, Birdland, and the creation of Cu-bop (alternatively called Cubano jazz or jazz mambo.) Puente plays timbales, vibes, saxophone, clarinet, marimba, and piano. In March of 1999 he brought these skills to the stage with the CJO. Selections included: Samba Con Carney, One Note Samba, Samba Ray, How Insensitive, Poinciana, Fiesta A La King, Ah! Ah!, Ran Kan Kan, Machito Forever, Para Los Rumberos, Mambo Diablo, Palladium Days, Oye Como Va, Picadillo, and El Ray Del Timbal.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Michael Cox, Sonny McBroom, Keith Kimble, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer, Jerry Kaye, Dean Congin

Rhythm Section
Mark Flugge – Piano | Derek DiCenzo – Guitar | Lou Fischer – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Steve Grier – Percussion

SATCHMO

Featuring Byron Stripling
Stompin’ At The Southern Series
April 28 – May 2, 1999 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Honda of America

In a night of tributes to the Chief Justice of Jazz, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra backed Byron Stripling as he put the “strong” in Armstrong and sent Louis’ backbeat straight down to the feet of every audience member. The rich, full sound of this jazz legend was brought to life by Stripling who would go on to become the Artistic Director of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra in 2002. Selections included: When The Saints Go Marching In, Struttin’ With Some Barbeque, On The Sunny Side Of The Street, I’m Confessin’, Hello Dolly, Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans, Back Home Again In Indiana, When It’s Sleepy Time Down South, Dinah, Shine, and What A Wonderful World.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Michael Cox, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer, Jerry Kaye

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

THE MUSIC OF NAT KING COLE

Featuring Freddy Cole and Margaret Whiting
Pop Swings Eternal At The Palace Series
May 22, 1999 | Palace Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Wolfe Enterprises, Inc.

This concert tribute was a tribute to a jazz great – Nat King Cole. The Columbus Jazz Orchestra alongside Nat’s brother and legendary jazz artist Freddy Cole was joined by world renowned performer Margaret Whiting. Freddy Cole has a voice raspier, smokier, and even jazzier than that of his brother’s, and his phrasing is closer to that of Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday. However, that didn’t stop him from sounding shockingly similar to Nat King Cole as he sang alongside Margaret Whiting. Whiting served on many boards and committees in the entertainment industry, including the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Grammy Awards, the Manhattan Association of Cabarets, and the Society of Singers. Furthermore, she has a voice that “sounds better and better with the passing years”- a feat not many vocalists can claim. This concert was also sponsored by WSAI Radio in Cincinnati, Ohio for a special edition of this concert at the Arnoff Center the night prior to the performance at the Palace. Program selections were announced from the stage.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Michael Cox, Sonny McBroom, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer, Jerry Kaye, Dean Congin

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