“Blues, Gospel, and the Abstract Truth”
Friday, March 3, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Maltz Performing Arts Center
A note from Artistic Director Paul Ferguson:
One of the greatest pleasures in directing the CJO is encountering such a tremendous variety of musicians and finding a way to "make it work". In the course of a season I'll be working with Cleveland Public school students, members of the Cleveland Composer's Guild, singers from The Musical Theatre Project, several guest artists and a variety of local musicians.
Our second (hopefully annual) gospel concert presents another such opportunity. It offers me a chance to visit Jonathon Turner's Israelite Missionary Baptist Church in Akron, Johnny Parker's Rhema at the Warehouse Church on Cleveland's near East Side, Eastview Church in Shaker Heights, all in service of creating a community wide event that we offer you tonight. I come away from each experience thankful for the energy and the new accents and flavors I'm allowed to access and integrate into my work. It affects me on a technical level-new harmonies, new rhythms, but also on a philosophical level-reinvigorating the importance of storytelling and passion.
The greater Cleveland Choral Chapter enjoys a distinguished history in the area going back 75 years. This concert is part of their post Covid(cross your fingers!) resurgence and rebirth. We are honored!
Grateful as well to my new friends-D'Andre and Leah Bracey, our exceptional guest artists.
Enjoy with us the present and future, concrete and abstract truths of the Blues and Gospel Music!
Tonight’s Personnel
Saxophones
Brad Wagner*
Nathan-Paul Davis
Chris Burge
Johnny Cochran
George Shernit
Trombones
Brett Balika
Chas Baker
Will Horner
Paul Hungerford
Trumpets
Dave Banks
Joe Miller
Scott McKee
Jack Schantz
Rhythm
Aidan Plank, bass**
Jim Rupp, drums
Joey Skoch, piano
*Barbara Becker endowed chair
**Carol & Stuart Reese endowed chair
Vocals
Dre & Leah, featured duo
Gospel Choir Members from: Greater Cleveland Choral Chapter, Cleveland Heights High School, Lutheran East High School
Choir Directors
Johnny Parker, RHEMA Fellowship Church
Jonathon Turner, Israelite Missionary Baptist Church & Lutheran High School East
Many thanks to the choir directors and their choir members for this joyful and inspiring collaboration!
Tonight’s selections will include:
The Critic’s Choice……….Oliver Nelson
Down By the Riverside……….Spiritual, arr. Oliver Nelson
Yearnin’……….Oliver Nelson
Stolen Moments……….Oliver Nelson
You Love But Once……….Oliver Nelson
Hoe-Down……….German Christmas carol
Snowfall……….Oliver Nelson
INTERMISSION
Lift Every Voice and Sing……….James Weldon Johnson (lyrics), J. Rosamond Johnson (music)
I Could Sing of Your Love Forever……….Martin Smith
Goshen 432HZ……….Donald Lawrence
Jesus Is Real……….John P. Kee
Order My Steps (Dear Lord)……….Stephen Howse
Amazing Grace……….John Newton
A Might Fortress Is Our God……….Martin Luther
Tonight, we are proud to introduce the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Preservation Circle, and the inaugural member, our honoree for the evening: David Gedeon!
The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Preservation Circle are individuals who have contributed beyond measure to further the CJO’s mission. Through their efforts, the CJO continues to increase awareness and appreciation of jazz by engaging the community with original music, exceptional performances, and inspirational educational programming.
Thank you to our 2022-2023 season donors!
Your donations not only make our season possible, but provide the much needed funding for the CJO to provide outreach in the community and perpetuate the love of jazz for generations to come.