At the turn of the millennia and the century, 1999-2000, in their 27th season the Columbus Jazz Orchestra presented to audiences “Big Band Jazz Swings,” a series of concerts that had so much jazz jammed into them it was almost too much for just one season! With guest artists that reminded everyone of the good ole’ days of ragtime to the sultry voices of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, the CJO put on quite a show and caused subscriptions to fly out the window and got you into our seats!

Stompin’ at the Southern Series Sponsors: Infiniti of Dublin, Huntington Banks, Grange Insurance, and Wendy’s International, Inc.

Palace Series Sponsor: Nationwide Insurance and Wolfe Enterprises, Inc.

 

TEX BENEKE

Featuring Kelly Crum Delaveris, Uptown Sound, and Success Express

Stompin’ at the Southern Series
October 1, 1999 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Nationwide Insurance

Tex Beneke stole the show and wowed the audience with his mastery alongside the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Uptown Sound and Success Express captivated the audience, with the help of crowd favorite Kelly Crum Delaveris. 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

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

Uptown Sound:

Jeff Archer – tenor
David Calland – lead
Steve Kovach – baritone
Steve Denino – bass

Success Express:

Stacey St. John – tenor
Michelle Holloway – lead
Kerry Denino – baritone
Gretchen Holloway – bass

BASIE, BUDDY & BELLSON

Featuring Louie Bellson, Harold Jones, Dave Weckl, and Dwight Lenox
Stompin’ at the Southern Series
October 27-31, 1999 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Wendy’s International, Inc.

Louie Bellson, Harold Jones, and Dave Weckl were slappin’ skins in this night of tributes. You listened to Jones get aristocratic on Count Basie, as he was the heartbeat of the Count Basie Orchestra for six years, Weckl getting ready to rumble with Buddy Rich’s West Side Story, and Louie Bellson was deemed “the best big band drummer ever” by Buddy Rich himself. Selections included: April in Paris, One O’Clock Jump, Come Fly With Me, Cute, Blues in Frankie’s Flat, Alright, OK, You Win; Roll ‘em Pete, Everyday (I Have the Blues), The Hawk Talks, Skin Deep, The Music Makes You Move, Blow Your Horn, Basically Blues, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy; West Side Story, Keep the Customer Satisfied, and Norwegian Wood.

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, Pharez Whitted

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Lou Fischer – Bass | Derek DiCenzo – Guitar

JACK JONES SALUTES FRANK SINATRA AND TONY BENNETT

Stompin’ at the Southern Series
December 1-5, 1999 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Grange Insurance

Jack Jones, a 1998 Grammy nominee and “personal favorite” of Mel Tormé, saluted Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. Jones paid a tribute to two of the greatest big band singers in our intimate theater. You came and saw why The New York Times called him “the only guy under 65 who can really swing”. Selections included: In the Still of the Night, Fly Me to the Moon, Come Fly with Me, The Song Is You, Night and Day, In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning, You Make Me Feel So Young, Luck Be a Lady, Angel Eyes, It Was a Very Good Year, All or Nothing at All, For Once in My Life, Just in Time, Shadow of Your Smile, and I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

 

 

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Byron Rooker, Sonny McBroom, Pete Mills, 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 | Al Berry – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Derek DiCenzo – Guitar

 

JUKE BOX SATURDAY NIGHT

Featuring Kay Starr and Julius La Rosa
Palace Series
January 22, 2000 | Palace Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Wolfe Enterprises, Inc.

You came and enjoyed a night of the big stars of 1950’s radio and television as Starr and La Rosa blended their talents for a swingin’ evening of Razz-Ma-Tazz. 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

Rhythm Section
Mark Flugge – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums

SALUTE TO SWEETS

Featuring Clark Terry, Brad Goode, Pharez Whitted, Gene Walker, and Chris Murrell
Stompin’ at the Southern Series
February 16-20, 2000 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Huntington Banks

Had a craving for Sweets? This man’s singing, swinging and trumpet blowing more than satisfied any craving you might have had. Jazz notables Clark Terry, Brad Goode, Pharez Whitted, Gene Walker and Chris Murrell crooned you to the moon after they swung the lights out. Selections included:

Every Day I Have the Blues, Skylark, The Very Thought of You, Please Send Me Someone to Love, Please Be Kind, Just Squeeze Me, Big Bad Band, Tee Pee Time, Avenue “C,” Sweets is Back in Town, How Sweets It Is, Come Sunday, Way Out West, Shell Game, and Cold Tater Stomp.

 

 

Performers:

Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Michael Cox, Sonny McBroom, Gene Walker, Steve Genteline

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

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Pharez Whitted, Jerry Kaye

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

 

 

ROARING RAGTIME RETURNS

Featuring Terry Waldo, Ruth Brisbane, Orange Kellin and Ty Stephens
Stompin’ at the Southern Series
March 22-26, 2000 | Southern Theatre

After the previous season’s concert was nominated for The Greater Columbus Arts Council’s Artistic Excellence Award, the CJO figured that they might as well give it another shot, so they did. The people featured on this concert know how to honk, wail, and blow—Terry Waldo returned with blues diva Ruth Brisbane to stomp ever-so-sweetly to the new favorites from jazz gone by. The Columbus Jazz Orchestra rolled out Maple Leaf Rag, Saint Louis Blues, and other jazz classics. Selections included: Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Maple Leaf Rag, The Entertainer, Twelfth Street Rag, Castle House Rag, Yellow Dog Rag, Empty Bed Blues, St. Louis Blues, Black Bottom Stomp, Nagasaki, You Rascal You (I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead), Minnie The Moocher, Your Feet’s Too Big, Alkali Ike Rag, and That Mysterious Rag.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Michael Cox, Kristopher Keith, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Lou Fischer – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Stan Smith – Guitar, Banjo | Kai Watkins – Tuba

Violins
Ruth Stroud, Ariane Sletner, Olev Viro, Amy Shevrin

Cello
Vic Firlie

 

SWING’S THE KING

Featuring Ken Peplowski, Frank Vignola, and Federico Britos
Stompin’ at the Southern Series
May 3-7, 2000 | Southern Theatre

These three kings put the crowning touches on jazztastic swing grooves. Ohio native Ken Peplowski shook up the music business and he and his band mates, Frank Vignola and Frederico Britos, put the boogie into Ray Eubank’s bootie. In fact, Eubanks said, “My two favorite recordings from the past five years came from these guys [Peplowski and his band mates].” You weren’t able to sit still for this concert that was anything but stately. 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

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

 

 

FROM NEW YORK CITY…IT’S THE TONIGHT SHOW

Featuring Steve Allen and Terry Gibbs
Palace Series
May 20, 2000 | Palace Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Wolfe Enterprises, Inc.

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra invited you to enjoy the musical stylings of both Steve Allen, the creator and original host of the Tonight Show, and Terry Gibbs, the musical director of 10 years for The Tonight Show. This evening was a night filled with jazz and laughter. You sat back, laughed, and enjoyed the show as these two great performers came together once again but at the Palace Theatre for the very first time. Program selections were announced from the stage.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, 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 | Al Berry – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums

KENTON RETURNS

Featuring Conte Candoli, John Von Ohlen, and Kelly Crum Delaveris
Stompin’ at the Southern Series – Extra Concert
June 9-10, 2000 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Columbia Gas

Stan Kenton returned once again, sort of. The Columbus Jazz Orchestra played Stan Kenton’s hits in this exclusive add-on concert. This time “Kenton” was joined by Kenton alumnus trumpeter Conte Condoli and drummer John Von Ohlen on the Southern stage, their first time back together. They put Big Band Jazz back in your repertoire with Peanut Vender, Opus in Pastels, My Old Flame, Malagueña, and many more! Kelly Crum Delaveris performed the vocal part of June Christy, acting as the sunshine for flowers. Selections included: And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine, Artistry in Rhythm, The Big Chase, Body and Soul, Cherokee, Eager Beaver, Harlem Nocturne, Here’s That Rainy Day, How High the Moon, Limehouse Blues, A Little Minor Booze, The Midnight Sun, Opus in Chartreuse, Opus in Pastels, Peanut Vendor, Portrait of a Count, and The Thrill is Gone.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Byron Rooker, Steve Genteline

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

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Birkhimer, Pharez Whitted, Ben Huntoon, Dean Congin

Rhythm Section
Mark Flugge – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums