Chicago Jazz Orchestra: "A Tribute to Ray Charles"
When Jeff Lindberg and the late trumpeter Steve Jensen created the Jazz Members Big Band in 1978, they never dreamed their ensemble would grow into a world-class jazz orchestra. Now renamed the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, the group enters its 34th year with a resume that ranks it among the greatest artistic institutions in Chicago. As Chicago's oldest professional jazz orchestra in continuous operation, the orchestra has performed 23 straight years at the Kennedy Center Honors, and its 12-year concert series is the longest-running jazz orchestra concert series in Chicago. A genuine American success story that became one of the world's best professional jazz orchestras, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra is highly regarded by the finest musicians in the field, and this tribute to jazz legend Ray Charles is no exception. This concert will feature internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, composer Allan Harris as "Brother Ray," and serving as the fierce "Raelettes" are Chicago favorites, Dee Alexander, Joan Collaso and Yvonne Gage.
When Jeff Lindberg and the late trumpeter Steve Jensen created the Jazz Members Big Band in 1978, they never dreamed their ensemble would grow into a world-class jazz orchestra. Now renamed the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, the group enters its 34th year with a resume that ranks it among the greatest artistic institutions in Chicago. As Chicago's oldest professional jazz orchestra in continuous operation, the orchestra has performed 23 straight years at the Kennedy Center Honors, and its 12-year concert series is the longest-running jazz orchestra concert series in Chicago. A genuine American success story that became one of the world's best professional jazz orchestras, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra is highly regarded by the finest musicians in the field, and this tribute to jazz legend Ray Charles is no exception. This concert will feature internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, composer Allan Harris as "Brother Ray," and serving as the fierce "Raelettes" are Chicago favorites, Dee Alexander, Joan Collaso and Yvonne Gage.