TCJS Announces ‘Jazz from J to Z’ Season for 2010 (2)

The Twin Cities Jazz Society is pleased to announce its 2010 concert season, “Jazz from J to Z.” Ten concerts will present music ranging from the Big Band Era to the avant garde, from hot club swing of Parisian cafes to the sambas of Brazil, from Astor Piazzolla to Alec Wilder, from full jazz orchestra to small chamber ensemble. As in the past, TCJS will collaborate with the Bloomington Center for the Arts, Hopkins Center for the Arts and University of Minnesota, and will present for the first time at the Women’s Club of Minneapolis and Studio Z in St. Paul.

September 26, 2010 , 2 p.m.
“She’s Big in Egypt” CC Septet
Bloomington Center for the Arts

The CC Septet includes musicians connected one way or another to Century College in White Bear Lake: Tim Lackas, piano; Greg Stinson, bass; Brett Smith, drums; Ralph Brindle, trombone; Paul Peterson, tenor sax; Larry Neumann, alto sax; and Scott Snyder, trumpet. A spirit of team creativity is fundamental to their longevity and the success of their second CD, “She’s Big in Egypt,” original compositions that unfold at varying tempos and moods, yet all hanging together like an elegant tapestry.

October 10, 2010 , 2 p.m.
Butch Miles and the Wolverines Big Band with vocalist Judi Donaghy
Bloomington Center for the Arts

Drum legend Butch Miles was a big hit for the Bloomington venue last season with the Wolverines Trio and Big Band, and they wasted no time booking him for another round, again with the Wolverines Big Band and again with one of the area’s favorite vocalists, Judi Donaghy. Miles rose to fame with the Count Basie Big Band, also performing with Mel Torme, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman and more. The night will swing!

October 14, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
“Music of Bob Brookmeyer”
University of Minnesota Jazz Ensemble I, directed by Dean Sorenson

Led by Dean Sorenson, the University of Minnesota’s top jazz ensemble will perform its annual fall concert, this year honoring the music of famed arranger/composer/valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer. In a career covering much of the history of jazz, Brookmeyer has been associated with Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Jimmy Giuffre, Clark Terry, Jim Hall and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, and counts among his former students Maria Schneider and Jim McNeely. The Grammy nominee continues to perform, compose and arrange with his New Art Orchestra and teaches at the New England Conservatory of Music.

November 21, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
“Something Cool” Rhonda Laurie, Connie Olson and Tommy Bruce
Woman’s Club, Minneapolis

When California jazz of the early 1950s met up with New York bebop players and merged their styles, “Cool Jazz” was born. When you say “cool jazz,” singers a/k/a/ “Vo-Cool,” Julie London, June Christy, Chet Baker, Anita O’Day, Mel Torme, and Peggy Lee come to mind. In this November concert, the “cool jazz” vocalist trio of Rhonda Laurie, Connie Olson, and Tommy Bruce will be accompanied by Phil Aaron on piano, Steve Pikal on bass, and Nathan Norman on drums.