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| Westchester Jazz Orchestra in Irvington, NY Do you swing to “In the Mood,” “String of Pearls” and “Sing, Sing, Sing?” The Westchester Jazz Orchestra, an all-star ensemble that brings together seventeen musical artists who live, teach or frequently play in Westchester County, will perform these beloved standards on Saturday, January 26, at the Irvington Town Hall Theater, 85 Main Street, Irvington, NY. Now in its fifth season, WJO has attracted attention for its extraordinary musicianship and commissioned works. The Orchestra's recently-released debut CD, All In, was named among the Best CDs of 2007 by both WBGO-FM, the major jazz radio station for the New York Metropolitan area, and JazzImprov, a major jazz publication. Critics of All In praise WJO as “first-rate,” “setting a standard in big band modern jazz,” “hugely impressive,” and “exceptional,” while hailing the CD as “an expertly woven and thrilling collection” and “music that inspires and enlightens.” The January 26 concert, the third of WJO's five-concert 2007-08 season, will pay tribute to big band masters of the past while also presenting well-known big band classics from a fresh and contemporary perspective. Artistic Director Mike Holober explains the theme, “Some of the greatest jazz orchestra works ever produced are re-arrangements of well-loved big band classics. We'll perform these re-writes, including our new commissions, preceded by the original versions.” WJO's musicians roster includes trumpeters Craig Johnson, Tony Kadleck, Jim Rotondi, and Marvin Stamm; saxophonists Jay Brandford, David Brandom, Ralph Lalama, Jason Rigby and Ed Xiques; trombonists Bruce Eidem, Larry Farrell, George Flynn, and Keith O'Quinn; pianist Ted Rosenthal; bassist Harvie S and drummer Andy Watson. In honor of WJO's fifth season, student ticket prices will be only $5 for the entire year. Executive Director Emily Tabin said, “We are thrilled that so many students - and their families - are taking advantage of the opportunity to hear live jazz. WJO aims to inspire students and we do this as much with our playing as with our in-school educational workshops.” WJO will offer a special sextet concert, “A Tribute to the Greats,” on February 29th at 7:30 p.m., at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains as part of the Live@ the Arts Exchange program of the Westchester Arts Council. Please contact the Westchester Arts Council at 428-4220, X223, or westarts.com for details. On April 12, WJO continues its regular season with the music of George and Ira Gershwin and Paul Simon, the first recipient of the annual Library of Congress Gershwin Award for popular song, with Kate McGarry as guest vocalist. Finally, on June 7 at the Seven Bridges School in Chappaqua, WJO welcomes summer with the songs of Brazilian master Antonio Carlos Jobim. WJO's concerts are partially funded by the New York State Council on the Arts and the Aaron Copland Fund for Music. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |