The Swingin’ with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra 2011-2012 enticed you to stretch your ears and experience the hottest season in town! From the smooth guitar or The Tonight Show’s Kevin Eubanks to “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.,” our electrifying tribute to the legendary soul singers. Along the way the Columbus Jazz Orchestra journeyed to the world famous Cotton Club with two of Broadway’s finest singers and dancers, Ted Louis Levy and Brenda Braxton.

Season Sponsor: The Westin Columbus

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

Media Sponsors: The Columbus Dispatch, WOSU, and 920 WMNI

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

Featuring Kevin Eubanks from “The Tonight Show”
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
September 26-30, 2011 | Southern Theatre

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra kicked off the season with classic theme songs and music from beloved TV shows including I Love Lucy, M*A*S*H and more. The CJO was joined by jazz guitarist and longtime Leno sidekick, Kevin Eubanks. As bandleader on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno for 15 years, Eubanks had one of the highest profile guitar gigs around. Every night, millions of people tuned in to see Eubanks, armed with his arsenal of custom Abe Rivera guitars, direct one of the most revered musical institutions on late-night TV. Now Philadelphia native and PETA’s “World’s Sexiest Vegetarian Man” has begun a new chapter of his career with the release of Zen Food. Selections included: Sanford and Son Theme/The Streetbeater, Hawaii Five-O Theme, Love Is All Around, I Love Lucy Theme, Mission: Impossible Theme, The Odd Couple Theme, Suicide is Painless, Movin’ On Up, The Preacher, A Child Is Born, Work Song, The Thumb/Blues for Wes, Four on Six, Rock Candy, and Adoration.

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

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Featuring Helen Welch
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
November 30-December 4, 2011 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Grange Insurance

Critically-acclaimed vocalist Helen Welch returned for the most wonderful time of the year! A Columbus tradition! The sounds of the season were celebrated at our annual holiday spectacular. UK vocal sensation Helen Welch joined Byron Stripling for a sleigh ride of holiday favorites done CJO-style. Helen previously lit up the stage and captivated audiences at both the Southern Theatre and the CJO’s summer JazZoo! series. Each year promises a special yuletide surprise, and this year was no exception. Program selections were announced from the stage.

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 | Tony Janflone Jr. – Guitar

JAZZ MOVES COLUMBUS

Featuring The BalletMet Columbus and Columbus Jazz Orchestra
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
February 2-5, 8-12, 2013 | Capitol Theatre – Riffe Center

Columbus’ bicentennial was celebrated with three of our city’s treasures! In conjunction with WOSU Public Media’s “Columbus Neighborhoods” series, the CJO and BalletMet celebrated life in Columbus through a synthesis of music, movement and imagery. The original “Jazz Moves” won the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s Artistic Excellence Award and was called “groundbreaking” by the Columbus Dispatch.

Performers/Artistic Contributors:
Artistic Director  (CJO) – Byron Stripling
Artistic Director (BalletMet) – Gerard Charles
Lighting Designer – Michael Mazzola
Video Producer – Mary Rathke
Ballet Mistress – Rebecca Rodriguez-Hodory
Ballet Master – Hisham Omardien

Choreographers
Randy Duncan, Stella Kane, Dan Knechtges, Harrison Mceldowney, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Lynne Taylor-Corbett

Dancers
Adrienne Benz, Andrew Brander, Jessica Brown, Olivia Clark, Andres Estevez, Austin M.G. Finley, Emily Gotschall, Drew Grant, Dustin James, Bethany Lee, Samantha Lewis, Annie Mallonee, Courtney Muscroft, Jimmy Orrante, Ty Parmenter, Emily Ramirez, Kerri Riccardi, Jackson Prescott Sarver, George Smallwood, Gabriel Gaffney Smith, David Tlaiye, Zoica Tovar, Jorge Andres Villarini, David War, Carrie West, and Kelly Yankle

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

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

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

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

A NIGHT AT THE COTTON CLUB

Featuring Ted Louis Levy & Brenda Braxton
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
March 14-18, 2012 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: US Bank

Prohibition, and the speakeasies it spawned, helped create a culture of nightlife, dancing, and red hot jazz. During the Harlem Renaissance, the Cotton Club emerged as one of the most famous nightclubs in history, known for its lavish stage shows and talented musicians. The CJO saluted the talent of the Cotton Club which featured award-winning choreographer/tap dancer Ted Louis Levy and Broadway sensation Brenda Braxton. Selections included:  Rockin’ in Rhythm, Stormy Weather, Minnie the Moocher, Smile Darn Ya Smile!, Lester Leaps In, Harlem Congo, Do Nothing ‘Til You Hear From Me, Daybreak Express, Clap Hands! Here Comes Charlie!, Ain’t Misbehavin’, All of Me, Mean to Me, Your Feet’s Too Big, Swing That Music, Kinda Dukish, Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey, Bye Bye Blackbird, and My Handy Man.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

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

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

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Jim Powell, Tim Perdue

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

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.: THE LEGENDS OF SOUL

Featuring Ty Taylor
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
April 11-15, 2012 | Southern Theatre

The CJO paid homage to the legendary figures of soul. There was dancing in the streets to the sounds of Atlantic, Stax and Motown and the legendary figures of soul including “The Godfather of Soul” James Brown, Sam Cooke, “Mr. Excitement” Jackie Wilson, Otis Redding, Ike & Tina, and “The Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin. Selections included: Sir Duke, Micheal Jackson Medley, Hamp’s Boodie, You Are the Sunshine of My Life, Respect, Through the Fire, His Eye Is on the Sparrow, River Deep, Mountain High, Stand by Me, Dark End of the Street, Cry to Me, Chris Pierce Original, (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher, and Superstition.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

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

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

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

Rhythm Section
Larry Cook – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Bobby Floyd – Piano