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| Jump City Jazz Orchestra Announces 2008 Summer Tour Philly's hottest big band, the Jump City Jazz Orchestra, announces it's 2008 summer tour. Consisting of 8 performances covering 3 states, JCJO promises to entertain audiences with a unique blend of big band classic and contemporary hits. Highlights of the tour include guest performances by international recording artist Grant Stewart, American Idol contestant and top 24 finisher, Nicole Tranquillo, and Tenor Sax Legend Larry McKenna. JCJO begins with a performance at Covenant Fellowship church on Tuesday July 15 to help the congregation celebrate their 2nd annual "Brass on the Grass" festival. The tour then enters "full swing" on with two performances on Saturday July 19th. The first performance, an outdoor festival in Delaware City DE, helps celebrate the community's rich culture and heritage. The second event of the day, an evening performance at Philly's world-famous Chris' Jazz Cafe celebrates two of today's hottest jazz artists, Grant Stewart and Nicole Tranquillo. A performer who Clark Terry characterizes as "one of the big boys" of jazz, Toronto native and NYC resident Grant Stewart is a tenor saxophonist who is sure to delight the audience in Philadelphia. According to the Village magazine "his huge sound, creativity, and beautiful melodic sense combine to easily place him among the finest saxophonists in the world" Philadelphia Native Nicole Tranquillo is best known for her appearance on Fox's hit show American Idol, reaching the top 24 before being voted off the hit show's sixth season. Currently, Nicole is a jazz vocal major at Philadelphia's University of the Arts. "I first heard Nicole perform with the UARTS big band", notes JCJO director Bob Wagner. "She sang a few numbers made famous by Dianne Schuur's collaboration with the Count Basie Orchestra. Nicole displayed a powerful voice and very mature sense of Jazz style on some very challenging arrangements. I could easily see how she would have impressed the folks at American Idol." After it's Jazz Club performance, the Jump City Jazz Orchestra will continue it's summer tour with performances at three of the area's premier outdoor musical venues, Media's Rose Tree Park, Bethlehem's world-famous Musikfest, and Hellertown's Dimmick Park. Mid-August will see JCJO's return to Chris' Jazz Cafe with guest, Philly Sax legend Larry McKenna. "Larry is such a great artist and person, it's always a treat when we have the opportunity to perform with him." notes Wagner. The summer tour concludes with a dinner dance for the Bicycle Club of Philadelphia in Ocean City NJ. This event, open to both club and casual cyclists promises to keep even the weariest of cyclists up on the dance floor all night long. The Jump City Jazz Orchestra is comprised of eighteen of the Delaware Valley's finest musicians and vocalists dedicated to faithfully recreating the magic and excitement of over sixty years of big band and swing music. Jump City Jazz Website: http://www.jumpcityjazz.com write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |