2008-09 Great American Songbook series
Frank & Sammy
Starring Ted Levy and John FredoSeptember 19-20, 2008 at the Southern Theatre.
Friday / Saturday 8 p.m.
The CJO presents the unforgettable music of two of America's most beloved entertainers of the 20th century: Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra. We'll go back to a time when Vegas was hot, Sammy and Frank were cool, and the Count Basie band made it all swing.
Motown & The Birth of Soul
Starring Kirk WhalumJanuary 16-17, 2009 at the Southern Theatre.
With the assistance of award winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum, the CJO relives the birth of soul and its many children, including Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross. They called it the Motown sound, and the music of "The House That Soul Built" will fill the Southern Theatre with a luscious soul food treat for your ears.
One Sophisticated Lady
May 15-16, 2009 at the Southern Theatre.Friday / Saturday 8 p.m.
Tony and Emmy® award-winning actress and singer Leslie Uggams has thrilled Broadway audience in recent years starting in the revivals of On Golden Pond and Thoroughly Modern Millie. She has starred in her own musical variety TV series, The Leslie Uggams Show, and tour with Peter Nero and Mel Torme-- and now joins the CJO to Showcase her divine vocal talents.
2008-09 Swingin' at the Southern series
The Roaring '20s
Starring Mary McClendon and Gene WalkerOctober 15-19, 2008 at the Southern Theatre.
Wednesday-Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
The 1920s gave us the Jazz Age - a decade bubbling with Prohibition, and characterized by the automobile , radio and movies, The CJO captures the spirit of this free-wheeling era with the help of trumpet-playing octagenarian Joe Wilder, fiddler Andy Carlson, and classic song stylist Helen Welch.
Home for the Holidays
Starring Nia Allen and Derek Di CenzoDec 3 - Dec 7, 2008 at the Southern Theatre.
Wednesday-Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
The CJO's annual holiday fanfare will delight as Bryon and the band take a different spin on the traditional mucsi of the season. Helping to raise your holiday spirits will be "musical angel" Nia Allen and guitar and steel drum practitioner Derek Di Cenzo. As always, be ready for a holiday surprise.
Jazz Moves Take 2
Starring BalletMet and the Columbus Jazz OrchestraFebruary 5-8, 2009 at theRiffe Center / Capitol Theatre.
Thursday-Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
February 11-14, 2009 at theRiffe Center / Capitol Theatre.
Wednesday-Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m., 8:00 p.m.
Celebrate both the history and future of jazz as BalletMet and the CJO join forces once again. The original Jazz Moves in 2006 won the Greater Columbus Arts Council's Artistic Excellance Award and was the talk of the town for months. The Columbus Dispatch called the inaugural Jazz Moves "groundbreaking" and "a brilliant match that adds depth to the artistry of both groups.
Rhapsody in Blue: The Music of George Gershwin
Starring Bobby Floyd and Kelly Crum DelaverisMarch 25-29, 2009 at the Southern Theatre.
Wednesday-Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Electrifying and charismatic piano master Bobby Floyd takes center stage as the featured soloist on Gershiwn's timeless hit concerto "Rhapsody in Blue." And, to further move you, Kelly Crum Delaveris joins the CJO to revisit the beloved tunes that made Gershiwn and American original.
The Big Band Sound: Past Present Future
Starring Slide HamptonApril 22-26, 2009 at the Southern Theatre.
Wednesday-Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
From Ellington, Kenton and Basie to Herman, Goodman and Harry James, the CJO celebrates the rich history to the bigh band sound, aided by Grammy® winning composer and NEA Jazz Master Slide Hampton. Hightlights include a familiar collection of big band classics and a newly commissioned work by Mir. Hampton.
These Three Tenors Play The Blues
Starring Red Holloway, Houston Person & Ricky WoodwardJune 10-14, 2009 at the Southern Theatre.
Wednesday-Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Honkin', shoutin' and moanin these three legendary sax men play the blues like no other trio can. From the chicken shacks of Memphis to the barbecue joints of Kansas City, these three tenors serve up a 10-course meal of blues guaranteed to make you "shake that thang!"