Monday, February 13, 2012
Jazz Legends Night
Ira Sullivan Quintet
World-renowned multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan comes with a wide array of wind instruments and gifted long-time sidekick Dante Luciani (trombone). Count on hearing brilliant and inspired forrays on trumpet, fluegelhorn, alto and soprano flute, and tenor and soprano sax from one of the living legends of jazz. The rhythm section will be familiar as well with the exceptional and intuitive talents of Vince Evans (bass) James Martin (drums) and Jerry Stawski (piano).
CCJS takes great pride in presenting in his eleventh appearance here in twenty years. No other organization in Florida has been more consistently supportive of this artist who is a national treasure of the jazz world. Don't miss this performance. the world is full of bright young talent, but there's only one Ira Sullivan.
As a youngster in the 1950's Sullivan cut his teeth playing with jazz legends like Charlie Parker, Roy Eldridge, and Lester Young. He would go on to perform with such luminaries as Art Blakey and Red Rodney with whom he co-led one of the most celebrated and innovative bands in jazz. Eventually Ira took up permanent residence in Miami Florida, where he became a jazz landmark, as well as educator and mentor to rising young talents like Jaco Pastorius and Pat Matheny.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Big Band Jazz Night
Dave Pruyn & the Jazz Legacy Big Band
Jazz fans can likely remember the great Monday Night "rehearsal bands" of Thad Jones/Mel Lewis which were often recorded and performed weekly at the Village Vanguard in New York City for many years. Well musical director and multi-instrumentalist David Pruyn has made Monday nights a rehearsal-band night for several years in the Tampa Bay area. Many of the top players in central Florida traveled from Orlando, Tampa and St Pete to keep the flame alive and read through the great arrangements in the libraries of musicians gathered over decades as well as arrangements written by members of the band.
This group features a versatile sound not confined to a single era or style. Some of the best arrangements in their last concert for CCJS were written by members of the band. On a side note musical director David Pruyn in addition to being a gifted multi-instrumentalist is an accomplished vocalist who has appeared before at CCJS with his Mel Torme tribute vocal show in October of 2010.
Monday, April 9, 2012
South Florida Talent Showcase (Double Concert)
Part One: The Library Jazz Quintet
People who stopped in to the Mid-Regional library for a CCJS sponsored concert in January of 2010, will understand the odd name for this group. The same group that "rocked the joint" in January of 2010 will be opening the concert, featuring local as well as greater south Florida musicians. Vocalist Chris Brown and saxophonist Mike Parmelee will head up a group consisting of Herb Bruce (trombone), Matt Bokulic (piano), Chuck Parr (drums) and Carl McVicker (bass).
Part Two: The Dan McMillion Combo
When mentioning Dan McMillion you think of a hard blowing Maynard Ferguson style trumpeter fronting a large ensemble of the best young talent around the state. But in April Dan will be in a slightly different context as we showcase the small combo sound. Dan has toured with the Woody Herman orchestra in addition to leading and recording with his own big band which received a grammy nomination for it's 2002 recording, titled "Got The Spirit".
