In 2007-2008, prehaps you were expecting jazz standards and featured artists, instead the Columbus Jazz Orchestra gave you musical experiences that stimulated your senses in a whole new way, from gospel to ragtime and everything in between, in their 34th season at the Southern Theatre. The Columbus Jazz Orchestra wanted to mix things up, and they did just that with the help of some phenomenal artists that were featured throughout the season.

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

The Great American Songbook Series Sponsor: The Westin Columbus

Media Partners: 90.5 WCBE, The Columbus Dispatch, Time Warner Cable, WOSU 89.7, and 920 WMNI

 

BIG BAND MEETS BROADWAY

Featuring Vocal Impact
The Great American Songbook Series
September 21-22, 2007 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Plante Moran

The classic hits of Broadway came to life through the magic of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra in a spectacular evening of music from the Great White Way. This “Enchanted Evening” featured Columbus singing sensation Vocal Impact. Nostalgic, heartfelt and packed with musical memories, this evening celebrated the best of Broadway. Selections included: Everything’s Coming Up Roses, Just in Time, Hello, Young Lovers; Hello, Dolly; Mame, How Long Has This Been Going On?, Old Devil Moon, Luck Be a Lady, Suite from West Side Story, Medley: A Lot of Living to Do/My Favorite Things/Don’t Rain on My Parade, Oh, What a Beautiful Morning; Seasons of Love, Summertime, and Steam Heat.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Hal Melia, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Linda Landis, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Jim Powell, Dwight Adams

Rhythm Section
Chris Berg – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Bobby Floyd – Keyboard

JAZZ PLAYS ART: A FUSION OF SIGHT AND SOUND

Featuring the work of Aminah Robinson and Kojo Kamau, The Milt Ruffin Chorale and Nia Allen
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
October 24-28, 2007 | Southern Theatre

The art of Aminah Robinson and the hard-driving jazz of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra came together for an unforgettable multimedia collaboration. This innovative fusion of music and art used spectacular images, big band jazz, poignant art and a few surprises to create an electrifying evening that culminated in the world premiere of a composition by the incredible John Clayton. As an addition treat, the CJO provided the musical background for the stunning photographs by Columbus’ own Kojo Kamau. This dynamic presentation promised to delight your eyes, inspire your ears, and lift your spirits, and it did just that. Selections included: I Hope in Time a Change Will Come, It’s Glory, Flute Salad, Blue Bossa, Aminah Robinson: The Symphonic Poet (Chained Unity, Aminah Overture, African Spirit, Robinsong Dreamscape, Amazing Grace, Ragablues, Hush, Little Baby; Big Hands, Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Sex Thimbles, Speed Zone, Sunday Morning Service March, and I Have My Father’s Eyes).

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Chad Eby, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Linda Landis, Jim Masters, Ola Hanson, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Jim Powell, Dwight Adams

Rhythm Section
Bobby Floyd – Piano | Chris Berg – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Featuring Gene Walker and Mary McClendon
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
November 28- December 2, 2007 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Grange Insurance

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra celebrated the sounds of the season at their annual holiday spectacular. Each year promises a new surprise, and this year’s surprise was no exception—you came to hear our “three kings” of jazz! Gifts of splendor and musical merriment were brought, as the orchestra invited you to join in the festivities as they presented Columbus’ most treasured holiday event. Selections included: We Three Kings, Hark! The Herald Angel Sing, Dreydle!, Selections from The Nutcracker Suite, Blue Christmas, Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, Jingle Bell Rock, Winter Wonderland, What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?, My Favorite Things, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, and Boogie Woogie Santa Claus.

 

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Hal Melia, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Linda Landis, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Jim Powell, Dwight Adams

Rhythm Section
Chris Berg – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Bobby Floyd – Keyboard

 

THE GOSPEL TRUTH: FROM SPIRITUALS TO SWING

Featuring Mavis Staples
The Great American Songbook Series
January 18-19, 2008 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Real Space

Soaring from spirituals to swing when the legendary Mavis Staples joined them, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra revisited the music that won them rave reviews and record-breaking audiences. Dubbed “the epitome of soul,” Mavis made her mark on pop music with tunes like “I’ll Take You There,” on of the many hits that launched her spirited vocals to fame. Selections included: Down by the Riverside, How Great Thou Art, Come Sunday, Battle Hymn of the Republic, Let Us Go into the House of the Lord, We Acknowledge You, It Is Well With My Soul, The Presence of the Lord, Eyes on the Prize, Down in Mississippi, The Weight, Wade in the Water, Stand By Me, and, naturally, I’ll Take you There.

 

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Shawn Wallace, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Linda Landis, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Jim Powell, Dwight Adams

Rhythm Section
Colin Lazarski – Guitar | Chris Berg – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Bobby Floyd – Keyboard

 

100 YEARS OF JAZZ: FROM RAGTIME TO BEBOP

Featuring Terry Waldo and Roy Hargrove
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
February 13-17, 2008 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Huntington

In this tour de force concert, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra journeyed from ragtime to blues, swing to bebop and beyond. Along with ragtime legend Terry Waldo and “young lion” Roy Hargrove, we touched base with the great jazz pioneers and captured the majesty, mood, and legacy of America’s own music – jazz. Selections included: Maple Leaf Rag, 2:19 Blues, I’m Just Wild About Harry, Black Bottom Stomp, Tiger Rag, East St. Louis Toodle-oo, Lester Leaps In, Oh, Lady Be Good; Be Bop, I Remember Clifford, Take Five, Song of the Underground Railroad, Lonely Woman, Spain, and St. Louis Blues.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Shawn Wallace, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Linda Landis, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Jim Powell, Dwight Adams

Rhythm Section
Chris Berg – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Bobby Floyd – Piano

BASIE, BENNY AND THE DUKE

Featuring Ken Peplowski
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
March 26-30, 2008 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Bob Evans

Jazz royalty took center stage as the CJO celebrated Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and the “king of Swing,” Benny Goodman. Ken Peplowski stepped in for Benny while Peter Appleyard remembered Lionel Hampton with a special recreation of the Benny Goodman Quartet. From “Take the ‘A’ Train” to “Sing, Sing, Sing,” this concert bubbled with swing. Selections included: Clarinade, Clarinet a la King, Mission to Moscow, Airmail Special, April in Paris, Shiny Stockings, Lil’ Darlin’, One O’Clock Jump, Whirlybird, Daybreak Express, Satin Doll, and Battle Royal.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Shawn Wallace, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Linda Landis, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Jim Powell, Dwight Adams

Rhythm Section
Chris Berg – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Bobby Floyd – Keyboard

NEW ORLEANS ON PARADE

Featuring Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
April 23-27, 2008 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Abercrombie & Fitch and State Auto

Merging the forces of virtuosity and exuberance, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, a New Orleans native that has joined the ranks similar to Wynton and Branford Marsalis, with both his trumpet and trombone mastery. From street parades in the French Quarter to late-night jams in the city’s famed clubs, New Orleans came alive through hot jazz. You joined in the festivities as the party transformed into an unforgettable Mardi Gras celebration. Selections included: Flee as a Bird, Bourbon Street Parade, Grandpa’s Spells, Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?, You Rascal You, (Back Home in) Indiana, I Found a New Baby, Potato Head Blues, When the Saints Go Marching In, St. James Infirmary, Down by the Riverside, Won’t You Come Home, Bill Bailey?, What a Wonderful World, Orleans & Claiborne, and Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Chad Eby, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Linda Landis, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Jim Powell, Dwight Adams

Rhythm Section
Chris Berg – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Bobby Floyd – Piano

AN EVENING WITH MAUREEN McGOVERN

The Great American Songbook Series
March 26-30, 2008 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Sequent

Maureen McGovern has long captivated audiences with her stunning performances, from the captivating hit “The Morning After,” to cross-country tours with jazz greats Mel Tormé, John Pizzarelli and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Known for her remarkable range and expressive approach, vocal sensation Maureen McGovern took the audience’s breath away with her unique style. Selections included: Don’t Fence Me In, ‘S Wonderful, I Got Plenty O Nuttin’, I Wish I Knew, I Love Lucy, I Thought About You, Chicken Ain’t Nothing’ But a Bird, and The Preacher, with other songs chosen by Maureen McGovern.

 

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Shawn Wallace, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Linda Landis, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Jim Powell, Dwight Adams

Rhythm Section
Chris Berg – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Bobby Floyd – Keyboard

BESSIE’S BARRELHOUSE BLUES

Featuring Miche Braden
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
June 11-15, 2008 | Southern Theatre

The legend of Bessie Smith oozed with the passion of the blues. With the help of vocalist Miche Braden, the CJO celebrated the “Queen of the Blues” and her undeniable influence on today’s musical scene. The orchestra looked back at the origins of the blues and gazed ahead to music that fused the past and present. Selections included: Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Bobby’s Boogie, Basie Power, Shake Rattle and Roll, Speed Zone, The Preacher, Gimme a Pigfoot (and a Bottle of Beer), Kitchen Man, Precious Lord, On Revival Lord, Saint Louis Blues, Prove It on Me Blues, and Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Chad Eby, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Linda Landis, Ryan Hamilton, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Jim Powell, Dwight Adams

Rhythm Section
Chris Berg – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Bobby Floyd – Piano