In this incredible 43^rd season, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra ushered in “The New Jazz Age” in 2015-2016, for both the CJO and the Jazz Arts Group. While the incomparable CJO continued their thrilling, world-class performances, to record breaking crowds, The New Jazz Age showcased all aspects of what the CJO does. With this season’s amazing guest artists, and the extraordinary power, glory, and majesty of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, they took it to the next level! As you witnessed, this was a season that redefined tradition, pushing the limits and giving you even more than you have come to expect from the CJO.

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

Swingin’ with the CJO Series Sponsor: The Westin Columbus

Media Partners: The Columbus Dispatch, WOSU, 920 WMNI, 90.5 WCBE, and Sunny 95

Artistic Director Chair Sponsor: Ann & Tom Hoaglin

 

REDEFINING TRADITION: ELLINGTON, BASIE, AND BEYOND

Featuring Dave Powers, Christian Howes, and Shawn Wallace
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
October 22-25, 2015 | Southern Theatre

Three superstar Columbus soloists joined the CJO for a concert that forged a new path for the next level of CJO artistry. Topping off the event was the world premiere of “The Clark Terry Suite,” written in tribute to one of America’s greatest jazz icons and frequent CJO guest, Clark Terry. Selections included: Rockin’ in Rhythm, April in Paris, Moten Swing, Flute Juice, Satin Doll, Saint Louis Blues, Caravan, Basie Power, Love You Madly, Something to Live For, Lush Life, and Clark Terry Suite.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Chad Eby, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Jay Miglia

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

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Rob Parton, Jim Powell, Lee Savory

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

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Featuring Kelly Crum Delaveris and Bruce Wermuth
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
December 3-6, 2015 | Southern Theatre

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

Vocalist Bruce Wermuth’s passionate crooning and Columbus’ favorite female vocalist Kelly Crum Delaveris, were the perfect pair to warm up your holiday season. This year’s annual “Home for the Holidays” concert was bursting with yuletide gladness and guaranteed to leave you “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Selections included: Deck the Halls, What Child is Ths, Peanut Brittle Brigade, Christmas Night in Columbus, Winter Wonderland, Merry Christmas Darlin’, Rockin’Around the Christmas Tree, Baby, It’s Cold Outside; Go Tell It on the Mountain, White Christmas, Holiday Kind of Love, Sleigh Ride, Some Children See Him, Jingle Bells, Columbus Holiday, and Joy to the World.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Hal Melia, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Shawn Wallace

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

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

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

SAMMY, DEAN & A LITTLE BIT OF FRANK

Featuring John Fredo and Ted Levy
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
February 4-7, 2016 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: US Bank

“Rat Pack” stars Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin’s amazing talents were only surpassed by their spontaneous, outlandish humor. In that same spirit, the CJO welcomed Emmy Award-winner and Tony-nominamted tap dancer Ted Levy, and stylish crooner John Fredo. This thrilling song-and-dance team had you screaming, “The Rat Pack is Back!” Selections included: Summer Wind, You Make Me Feel So Young, I Get a Kick Out of You, I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love with Me, Standing on the Corner, You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You, In the Wee Small Hours, This Could Be the Start of Something Big, All or Nothing At All, Where or When, My Kind of Town, Smile, Darn Ya, Smile!, All of Me, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey?, Candy Man (from Sammy Davis Jr. Medley), Fly Me to the Moon, and Birth of the Blues.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Chad Eby, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Jay Miglia

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

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

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

 

STANDARDS & STRINGS

Featuring Carmen Bradford
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
March 17-20, 2016 | Southern Theatre

The CJO added violins, violas and cellos to the usual line up, sprinkled in some of the greatest jazz standards ever written, and then added a pinch of former Count Basie vocalist, Carmen Bradford, which culminated into a truly unforgettable evening brimming with beautiful, thrilling, musical entertainment. With the lush, rich, velvety sounds of strings combined with the high-powered, jazz-infused CJO, this concert made you leave breathless. Selections included: Red Arrow, S’Wonderful, Ain’t Misbehavin, Meditation, Just Friends, Black Bottom Stomp, If I Had You, I Can’t Give You Anything (But Love), A Night in Tunisia, Honeysuckle Rose, Sunny; A Tisket, A Tasket; Young and Foolish, They Can’t Take That Away from Me, I Love Being Here with You, Sweet Georgia Brown, and I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues.

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Hal Melia, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Shawn Wallace

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

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

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

Violins
Erin Gilliand, Eliza McGowan, Elaine Villies-Swinney, Olev Viro

Violas
Lucy Firlie-Ginther, Vanessa Ripley

Cello
Jeffery Singler

Synthesizer
Tim Davis

THE MUSIC OF STING AND STEELY DAN

Featuring Michael McElroy and Phil Clark
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
April 6-10, 2016 | Southern Theatre

Concert Sponsor: Plante Moran
Human Services Sponsor: Bridgeway Academy

The CJO presented an explosive, energy filled evening with Grammy and Tony Award nominee Michael McElroy, along with local star vocalist Phil Clark. McElroy’s unique collaborations with Sting, Patti LaBelle, Elton John, Vanessa Williams, and Mariah Carey made him the perfect choice to interpret songbooks. After adding the supremely gifted, soulful Phil Clark and you had an epic, tour de force concert experience. Selections included: Peg, Do It Again, Aja, Englishman in NY, Every Breath You Take, My Old School, Deacon Blues, When We Dance, Fields of Gold, We’ll Be Together, If You Love Somebody and Be Still My Beating Heart.

 

Performers:
Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Chad Eby, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Jay Miglia

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

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

Rhythm Section
Dennis Hodges – Guitar | Andy Woodson – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Bobby Floyd – Keyboard