Featuring Ellington, Basie, Sting, Steely Dan, John Lennon and the ‘Rat Pack’

JAZZ ARTS GROUP’S 2015-2016 SEASON TRUMPETS THE MUSIC OF DUKE ELLINGTON, COUNT BASIE, STING, STEELY DAN, JOHN LENNON AND SONGS MADE FAMOUS BY THE ‘RAT PACK’

Season Features World Premiere of Tribute Suite Honoring Jazz Great and Frequent CJO Guest Artist Clark Terry and Performances at Columbus’ Newest Music Venue – Notes

Season Gets Underway Saturday, September 19th

COLUMBUS, OH — Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) announces its lineup of concerts and events on the 2015-2016 season of Swingin’ with the CJO, performed at the historic Southern Theatre and featuring the renowned 16-piece Columbus Jazz Orchestra, and Inside Track, the innovative series that spotlights small-ensembles and up-and-coming artists.

An eclectic mix of musical styles is on tap including classic big band sounds as defined by legendary bandleaders/composers Duke Ellington and Count Basie, the smartly-piquant, jazz-infused songs of Steely Dan and Sting, and the remarkably diverse body of work by former Beatle, John Lennon.

Season Kicks-Off with Celebration of John Lennon

The 2015-2016 season gets underway Saturday, September 19 at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre (769 East Long Street) with Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon featuring multi-Juno Award-winning guitarist Michael Occhipinti and his band, Shine On. The concert is sponsored by Fahn & Denny Tishkoff and is part of JAG’s Inside Track Series.

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra takes over the stage of the historic Southern Theatre (21 East Main Street) October 22 – 25 with Redefining Tradition: Ellington, Basie and Beyond, the season’s first Swingin’ with the CJO Series event. Directed by world-renowned band leader and trumpet virtuoso Byron Stripling, the concert features Emmy Award-winning keyboardist Dave Powers, jazz violinist Christian Howes, and saxophonist Shawn “Thunder” Wallace, and includes the world premiere of “The Clark Terry Suite,” written in tribute to one of America’s greatest jazz icons and frequent CJO guest star.

The music continues at the Southern Theatre with Home for the Holidays December 3 – 6 featuring the CJO in performance with a pair of outstanding vocalists, Bruce Wermuth and Kelly Crum Delarvaris. Home for the Holidays is sponsored by Grange Insurance, and The Salvation Army is our Human Services Partner.

The Jazz Arts Group presents its first event at Columbus’ newest live music venue, Notes (520 South High Street), Saturday, January 30th with saxophonist/vocalist Grace Kelly and her band performing two sets, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Kelly’s recording, “Sweet Sweet Baby,” peaked at #10 on the Billboard Magazine’s Smooth Jazz chart and the 23-year old sax sensation was voted “Best Jazz Act” in Boston for four consecutive years. The performance is part of JAG’s Inside Track Series.

The CJO welcomes Emmy Award-winner and Tony-nominated tap dancer Ted Levy along with stylish crooner John Fredo for Sammy, Dean & A Little Bit of Frank, recalling the rollicking days and nights of the ‘Rat Pack’ February 4 – 7 at the Southern Theatre. Sammy, Dean & A Little Bit of Frank is sponsored by US Bank.

Drummer Jeff Hamilton brings his trio to Notes Saturday, March 5th for two sets, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., as part of Inside Track. Known for his work with such music legends as Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall and Barbra Streisand, Hamilton will be joined for his performances at Notes by award-winning pianist Tamir Hendelman and bassist Christoph Luty.

The lush, velvety sound of strings and rich vocals of former Count Basie Orchestra singer, Carmen Bradford, add to the high-powered music-making anticipated for the CJO’s Standards & Strings concerts March 17 – 20 at the Southern Theatre.

“It’s perfection and grace; it’s the smile on my face.” These lyrics from Steely Dan’s hit song, “Time Out of Mind,” could summarize the cause and effect of their music on generations of jazz-rock fans. Songs from their catalog, along with those of superstar singer-songwriter, Sting, will be celebrated in The Music of Sting and Steely Dan April 7 – 10 at the Southern Theatre. Local vocal star Phil Clark will be joined by Grammy and Tony Award-nominated singer Michael McElroy and the CJO. The Music of Sting and Steely Dan is sponsored by Plante Moran. The Helping Hands Center is the event’s Human Services Partner.

Celebrating 25 Years of the CYJO featuring The Aaron Diehl Trio concludes both the season and this year’s Inside Track series Saturday, April 23rd at the Lincoln Theatre (769 East Long Street). Not yet 30-years old, Columbus native Aaron Diehl has already established himself as one of the most celebrated jazz piano virtuosi performing today. Diehl is a Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra alum and was the first Hank Marr High School Jazz Award winner. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the CYJO, Diehl’s trio will be joined by an all-star cast of CYJO members and special guests in a show-stopping finale.

Offstage at the Jazz Academy Offers Behind-the-Scenes Insights

Audience members to JAG’s Swingin’ with the CJO and Inside Track concerts can join the season’s guest artists for “Offstage at the Jazz Academy,” casual and engaging conversations that take place at the Jazz Arts Group’s Jazz Academy (769 East Long Street, 4th Floor). Learn about the artists’ background, influences, life on the road, and even what they’re listening to on their iPod. Offstage at the Jazz Academy IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Inside Track Series Schedule/Venues:

Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon featuring Michael Occhipinti
Saturday, September 19, 8 p.m. – Lincoln Theatre (769 East Long Street)

Grace Kelly Band
Saturday, January 30, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. – Notes (520 South High Street)

Jeff Hamilton Trio
Saturday, March 5, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. – Notes (520 South High Street)

Celebrating 25 Years of the CYJO featuring the Aaron Diehl Trio
Saturday, April 23, 8 p.m. – Lincoln Theatre (769 East Long Street)

Swingin’ with the CJO Series Schedule: (All at the Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main Street)

Redefining Tradition: Ellington, Basie and Beyond featuring Dave Powers, Christian Howes and Shawn Wallace
Thursday, October 22, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 23, 8 p.m. (plus post-show Jam Session)
Saturday, October 24, 8 p.m.
Sunday, October 25, 3 p.m.

Home for the Holidays featuring Bruce Wermuth and Kelly Crum Delavaris
Thursday, December 3, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, December 4, 8 p.m. (plus post-show Jam Session)
Saturday, December 5, 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 6, 3 p.m.

Sammy, Dean & A Little Bit of Frank featuring Ted Levy and John Fredo
Thursday, February 4, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 5, 8 p.m. (plus post-show Jam Session)
Saturday, February 6, 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 7, 3 p.m.

Standards & Strings featuring Carmen Bradford
Thursday, March 17, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 18, 8 p.m. (plus post-show Jam Session)
Saturday, March 19, 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 20, 3 p.m.

The Music of Sting & Steely Dan featuring Michael McElroy and Phil Clark
Thursday, April 7, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 8, 8 p.m. (plus post-show Jam Session)
Saturday, April 9, 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 10, 3 p.m.

Offstage at the Jazz Academy Schedule:

(All at the Jazz Arts Group’s Jazz Academy, 769 East Long Street, 4th Floor – FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.)

Saturday, September 19, 2 p.m. – Michael Occhipinti and Shine On

Saturday, October 24, 2 p.m. – Dave Powers, Christian Howes and Shawn Wallace

Saturday, January 30, 2 p.m. – Grace Kelly Band

Saturday, February 6, 2 p.m. – John Fredo and Ted Louis Levy

Saturday, March 5, 2 p.m. – Jeff Hamilton Trio

Saturday, March 19, 2 p.m. – Carmen Bradford

Saturday, April 9, 2 p.m. – Michael McElroy and Phil Clark

Saturday, April 23, 2 p.m. – Aaron Diehl Trio

Season subscriptions of Swingin’ with the CJO are available through the CBUSArts Ticket Center at 39 East State Street or by calling 614-469-0939. Single tickets for all performances of the Swingin’ with the CJO are available starting Monday, August 10 at the CBUSArts Ticket Center, all Ticketmaster Outlets (including Kroger Stores), through www.jazzartsgroup.org and www.ticketmaster.com. Swingin’ with the CJO single tickets are priced at $54 (main floor), $48 (first balcony) and $25 (second balcony). Student and group rates are also available.

Single tickets for the Inside Track series concerts are $25 if purchased in advance, or $30 at the door. For those events taking place at the Lincoln Theatre – Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon and Celebrating 25 Years of the CYJO featuring the Aaron Diehl Trio – tickets may be purchased at the CBUSArts Ticket Center, Ticketmaster outlets including Kroger Stores, via phone at 614-469-0939, and online at www.jazzartsgroup.org and www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets for the Grace Kelly Band and the Jeff Hamilton Trio at Notes can be purchased online at www.jazzartsgroup.org and www.copiouscolumbus.com. For more information on individual shows and ticket packages visit the Jazz Arts Group’s website at www.jazzartsgroup.org.

Jazz Arts Group’s 2015-16 season is made possible by ongoing support from the Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Westin Columbus, The Columbus Foundation, Limited Brands, the Ohio Arts Council, Grange Insurance, Ann & Tom Hoaglin, US Bank, State Auto Insurance Companies, Plante Moran, Sequent, Bob Evans Farms, Cardinal Health, Fahn & Denny Tishkoff, and the Reinberger Foundation. Swingin’ with the CJO is sponsored by The Westin Columbus. The Artistic Director Chair Sponsor is Ann & Tom Hoaglin. JAG’s Inside Track Series is sponsored by Sequent. Additional support for Inside Track performances and workshops taking place at the Lincoln Theatre is provided by State Auto Insurance Companies.

Jazz Arts Group receives media support from The Columbus Dispatch, WOSU Public Media, WMNI AM 920 and WCBE 90.5 FM.

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About the Jazz Arts Group:

The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) is America’s oldest not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to producing, performing and promoting jazz. JAG is the third largest performing arts organization in Columbus and consists of four focus areas: the Columbus Jazz Orchestra (CJO), one of the world’s finest professional jazz orchestras; the Jazz Academy, JAG’s extensive instructional programs educating both students and adults about jazz and American music; Inside Track, a jazz and blues performance series produced at the historic Lincoln Theatre and beyond; and Affiliate Musicians, a program providing employment opportunities for professional musicians.

Subscription packages are available now for JAG’s Swingin’ with the CJO Series led by Artistic Director and trumpet virtuoso, Byron Stripling. Single tickets for Swingin’ with the CJO and Inside Track performances at the Lincoln Theatre are avaialabe at the CBUSArts Ticket Center (39 East State Street next to the Ohio Theatre), at all Ticketmaster Outlets including Kroger Stores, through www.jazzartsgroup.org and www.ticketmaster.com.