The Columbus Jazz Orchestra entered the 2000-2001 season with the goal of bringing the best jazz music to dedicated fans and to introducing a fresh and lively entertainment dimension to new jazz lovers. With performances at both the Southern and Palace theatres, the 28th season of the CJO brought in a star-crazed cache of world-famous names, including Ramsey Lewis and Maureen McGovern, as well as Pattie Page and Keely Smith bringing 50s favorites and some “Old Black Magic” to the stage.

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

Pops at the Palace Sponsors: Nationwide Insurance and Wolfe Enterprises, Inc.

PATTI PAGE

Pops at the Palace Series
September 22, 2000 | Palace Theatre

Grammy winner Patti Page sung #1 hits that packed a powerful punch in the 1950s. The incomparable Ms. Page lit up the stage with classic works such as: With My Eyes Wide Open, Tennessee Waltz, All My Love, Changing Partners, Cross Over The Bridge, and many more. Page joined the world-class 16 piece big band on September 22 to kick off the 28th season of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. This concert thrilled audience members and brought 50 year old tunes back to life. Program selections were announced from the stage.

 

 

THE RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO

Stompin’ at the Southern Series
October 25-29, 2000 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Wendy’s International, Inc.

Three Grammys and five Gold Records made the Ramsey Lewis Trio red hot. Simple, infectious, funky music made them a hit. In October, Ramsey Lewis, Larry Gray, and Ernie Adams joined the Columbus Jazz Orchestra for a night of audience favorites. The Grammy winning band pleased the audience with simple funky music. Selections included: Stompin’ at the Southern, Yesterdays, Night in Tunisia, Apple Honey, Blues In The Night, Brazil, Amorous Cat, Moment Spiritual, Wade In The Water, Nessun Dorma, Secret Love, Armando’s Rhumba, and The In Crowd.

 

 

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Byron Rooker, Sonny McBroom, Kris Keith, 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 | Al Berry – Bass | Matt Wagner – Drums | Derek DiCenzo – Guitar

GERSHWIN ALIVE

Featuring Pharez Whitted, Dwight Lenox, and Richard Lopez
Stompin’ at the Southern Series
November 29-December 3, 2000 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Grange Insurance
This concert featured the smooth sounds of Richard Lopez, a local pianist and composer, premiering the Grammy-winning score of “Porgy and Bess” written for Miles Davis, and featuring the original Big Band score of “Rhapsody in Blue.” Selections included: Buzzard Song, Bess You Is My Woman Now, Gone, Gone Gone Gone, Summertime, Bess Oh Where’s My Bess, Prayer (Oh Doctor Jesus), Fisherman Strawberry & Devil Crab, My Man’s Gone Now, It Ain’t Necessarily so, Here Come De Honey Man, I Loves You Porgy, There’s A Boat That’s Leaving Soon From New York, and Rhapsody in Blue.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

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

Trombones
Tom Dale, Ola Hanson, Linda Landis, Pat Lewis

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

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Lou Fischer – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Stan Smith – Guitar
Violins
Gail Stadelman, Ruth Stroud, Amy Shevrin, Erin Gilliland

Tuba
Kie Watkins

Horn
Marsha Palmer, David Nesmith

 

 

FOURS SCORE

Featuring The Four Lads, The Four Aces, and The Platters
Pops at the Palace Series
January 20, 2001 | Palace Theatre

The Four Lads, The Four Aces, and The Platters, came together for one fabulous show. That’s an even dozen of the best-selling vocalist of the 1950s. Audience members were wowed with the music of these talented musicians in a show overflowing with moments to remember. Selections included: Standin’ On The Corner, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, Three Coins In The Fountain, Only You, No Not Much, Love Is A Many Splendored Thing, and The Great Pretender.

 

 

 

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Byron Rooker, Sonny McBroom, Pete Mills, 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

 

 

 

 

RETURN TO THE COTTON CLUB

Featuring Ty Stephens, The Williams Brothers, Tina Fabrique, and Evan Christopher
Stompin’ at the Southern Series
February 14-18, 2001 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Huntington Bank

A high energy rendition of Fred Astaire and Bo Jangles was brought to Columbus for audience members who remembered movie musicals and swing bands. Pure fun with Ty Stephens and a troop of New York Tapsters including the Williams Brothers, Tina Fabrique, and Evan Christopher. These five talented artists joined the Columbus Jazz Orchestra in a Cotton Club style revue. 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
Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer, Pharez Whitted

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

 

 

 

KEVIN MAHOGANY & DAVID “FATHEAD” NEWMAN

Stompin’ at the Southern Series
March 21-25, 2001 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Fitch

When Grammy-winning vocalist Kevin Mahogany teamed with the legendary saxman David “Fathead” Newman, musical passion soared throughout the Southern Theatre in a synthesis of the best jazz and blues. David Newman met Ray Charles in 1952 and spent the next ten years as a star attraction in Charles’ band. In 1959 Newman recorded his first Atlantic album, Ray Charles Introduces Fathead Newman, which is now considered a classic. While Newman was recording, Kevin Mahogany was growing up with the sound of Memphis, Motown and Rock ‘n Roll. In 1998, Mahogany earned the #1 Male Jazz Vocalist in both Jazziz’ and Down Beat’s Reader’s Polls. The soaring vocals and soulful saxophone joined the Columbus Jazz Orchestra for a week of concerts. 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, Pharez Whitted

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

MAUREEN MCGOVERN

Stompin’ at the Southern Series
April 25-29, 2001 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Infiniti of Dublin and Columbus Fair Auto Auction

Maureen McGovern’s career encompasses recordings, concerts, Broadway, films, television and radio. She has been an audience favorite for many years bringing her hit records and stunning vocals to the stage with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra many times before. The Diva of American music brought her rich repertoire of jazz and Broadway songs in the world premiere of her new big band show. She’s the golden voice with the four-octave range and in April of 2001 she came back to Columbus to perform with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Program selections were announced from the stage.

 

 

 

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Byron Rooker, Sonny McBroom, Michael Cox, 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 | Al Berry – Electric Bass | Lou Fischer – Acoustic Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums

SWINGIN’ KEELY SMITH

Pops at the Palace Series
May 19, 2001 | Palace Theatre

The Queen of Las Vegas came to Columbus to Jump, Jive and Wail as she weaved That Old Black Magic and took the audience to The Sunny Side of the Street just like the old days with Louis Prima. Not even The Sheik of Araby could resist this concert. Keely Smith brought her captivating and stunning vocals alongside the Columbus Jazz Orchestra in this unforgettable night of audience favorites. Program selections were announced from the stage.

 

 

 

 

 

KENTON RETURNS “ONE MORE TIME”

Featuring Jerry McKenzie, John Harner, and Kelly Crum Delaveris
Stompin’ at the Southern Series
June 8-9, 2001 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Wolfe Enterprises, Inc.

Bold and brassy, Stan-style sass, the brash Mr. Kenton received a mellophone tribute in another imaginative West Side Story featuring the vibrant vocals of Kelly Crum Delaveris and the spirited syncopation of drummer John Von Ohlen. Featuring former Kentonites Jerry McKenzie, John Harner, and Kelly Crum-Delaveris, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra paid a 20th anniversary salute to the music of Stan Kenton. This concert was an audience treat as the “extra concert” included in the 28th season. Program selections were announced from the stage.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Ray Eubanks

Saxophones
Burdette Green, Michael Cox, Sonny McBroom, Steve Genteline, Pete Mills

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

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer, Pharez Whitted

Mellophones
Ben Huntoon, David Nesmith, Marsha Palmer, David Sycks

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