The 2012-2013 season celebrated the 40th anniversary of Jazz Arts Group. This season celebrated not only the last 40 years but also the bright future of jazz still to come.

Season Sponsor: Grange Insurance
Series Sponsor: The Westin Columbus

 

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS WITH THE JAZZ ARTS GROUP

Featuring Doc Severinsen
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
September 28-29, 2012 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Ann & Tom Hoaglin

In the first concert of the season, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra kicked off the 40th anniversary celebration with a special two-night performance with legendary Tonight Show bandleader and Grammy Award-winner Doc Severinsen. Selections included: Birdland, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, Infant Eyes, La Fiesta, Georgia On My Mind, I Can’t Get Started, West End Blues, Intermission Riff, Artistry in Rhythm, Peanut Vendor, Malaguena, One O’Clock Jump, Caravan, and September Song.

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, Dwight Adams

Rhythm Section
Chris Berg – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Erik Augis – Piano

COME TOGETHER: FROM GERSHWIN TO THE BEATLES

Featuring Gerald Clayton, Jonathan Elliot & Theo Perry
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
October 25-28, 2012 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: US Bank

In this performance, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra presented a synthesis of styles in a boundary-pushing celebration of creative songwriting. Selections included: Oh, Lady Be Good, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, ‘S Wonderful, Buzzard Song, Bess, You Is My Woman Now, Oh, I Can’t Sit Down, I Loves You, Porgy, Embraceable You, Can’t Buy Me Love, Here, There, Everywhere, Kansas City, Let it Be, Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby, and Come Together.

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 Marva Hicks
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
November 29 – December 2, 2012 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Grange Insurance
Human Services Partner: The Salvation Army

During the 2012 holiday season, the dazzling and vivacious Marva Hicks returned for the Columbus tradition of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s Home for the Holidays performance. Selections included: Sleigh Ride, This Christmas, Peanut Brittle Brigade, Christmas Night in Columbus, O Holy Night, Blue Christmas, Christmas Time Is Here, Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells Reprise, Hark the Herald, What Child Is This?, We Three Kings, Joy to the World, Go Tell it on the Mountain, and I’ll Be Home for Christmas.

 

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Bryan Olsheski, 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

SUITE ROSA

Featuring Keith “Speak” Williams and Bobbi Townes (Fresh Wreckage)
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
January 25-26, 2013 | Lincoln Theatre

In this performance the Columbus Jazz Orchestra celebrated “the mother of the modern civil rights movement” through music and dance. The CJO was honored to be chosen to perform the world premiere of John Clayton’s piece, Suite Rosa. Selections included: I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free (unaccompanied trumpet), Letter to Rosa – Part I, Down by the Riverside, How Great Thou Art (intro), How Great Thou Art, African Spirit, Song of the Underground Railroad, I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to Be Free (big band version), Letter to Rosa- Part II, We Acknowledge You, I Told Jesus, Letter to Rosa- Part III, and I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to Be Free (finale).

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

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

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

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Rob Parton, Jim Powell, Dwight Adams

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

 

RAGTIME, BLUES & BEYOND: A SHORT HISTORY OF JAZZ

Featuring Tia Fuller, Lewis Nash, and the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
February 7-10, 2013 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Plante Moran

Celebrating over a century of jazz legends and learning, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra combined efforts to bring a concert featuring the talents of Tia Fuller and Lewis Nash. Selections included: Black Bottom Stomp, Bebop, St. Louis Blues, Shiny Stockings, Spain, Sing, Sing, Sing, Jeru, Us, and Stompin’ at the Savoy.

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, Rob Parton, Jim Powell, Dwight Adams

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

Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra Performers:
Artistic Director – Mark Donavan

Saxophones
Christian Donovan, St. Charles Preparatory School
Vincent Gillotti, Bishop Watterson High School
Matt Hakes, Grove City High School
Daniel Parsons, Liberty High School
Jake Smith, Grove City High School

Trombones
Beth Collier, Gahanna Lincoln High School
Sterling Davis, Northland High School
William Horner, Grove City High School
Jeremy Schroeder, Columbus Academy

Trumpets
Rasaan Hollis, Westerville South High School
Brian Poland, Westerville South High School
Cole Southworth, Dublin Jerome High School
Spencer Ward, St. Charles Preparatory School

Rhythm Section
Luke Berger – Drums, Westfall High School
Jailynn Lake-Noel – Bass, Gahanna Lincoln High School
Justin Steinhausser – Guitar, Gahanna Lincoln High School
Micah Thomas – Piano, Westerville South High School

BIG BAND ON BROADWAY

Featuring Debbie Gravitte
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
March 14-17, 2013 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: US Bank

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra and Debbie Gravitte brought Broadway magic to the Southern Theatre as they put a jazzy twist on classic show tune favorites. Selections included: Mame, Cool, Let Me Entertain You, My Heart Belongs to Daddy, I Got Rhythm, Mamma Mia Medley, Here’s That Rainy Day, People, Strike Up the Band, Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend, Maybe (Theme from “Annie”), Ease on Down the Road, It Might As Well Be Spring, and Defying Gravity.

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, Rob Parton, Jim Powell, Dwight Adams

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

PIANO MEN: THE MUSIC OF BILLY JOEL, ELTON JOHN & STEVIE WONDER

Featuring Chester Gregory & Dave Powers
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
April 11-14, 2013 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: State Auto
Human Services Partner: Helping Hands Center

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra got the audience in the mood for a melody playing tribute to favorite keyboard legends Billy Joel, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder. Featured these nights were two very talented pianists, Chester Gregory and Dave Powers. Selections included: Only the Good Die Young, Just the Way You Are, She’s Always a Woman, New York State of Mind, I Just Can’t Wait to be King, Your Song/San Lorenzo, Honky Cat, Daniel, Isn’t She Lovely, Ribbon in the Sky, Another Star, Love’s in Need of Love Today, You and I, 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, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, John Harner, Jim Powell, Dwight Adams

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