“Coltrane, Sinatra, and the Surprise of Being”
Friday, May 3, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Maltz Performing Arts Center
Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Creative Arts Collaborative Center, Akron
A note from Artistic Director Paul Ferguson:
I was in Milan, Italy last month and went to a concert at The Blue Note, Milano. Hanging on the wall – a portrait of Joe Lovano. The man gets around!
Joe is one of the most celebrated jazz musicians of the last 40 years - DownBeat Musician of the year, Grammy awards, it's all there. But he returns home often to see family and perform in the area – this is the 3rd time we've had him as a guest.
We take great pride in presenting concerts featuring material that you'll hear nowhere else, featuring the best composers and arrangers of Northeast Ohio. Today we offer new arrangements by myself and Brad Wagner, music by Dave Morgan from our Surprise of Being recording, as well as new compositions by Chas Baker. The only piece outside of our neighborhood is Jim McNeely's masterful treatment of "Resolution", a movement from Coltrane's A Love Supreme.
Sinatra and Coltrane on the same program? Why not? It's not what you do, but rather how you do it! An honor for me to arrange "Fly Me to the Moon" for Joe. To honor the late Wayne Shorter, I put together a medley of his seminal tunes.
Enjoy one of the greatest jazz events in Cleveland this year!
My very best to you,
Paul Ferguson
Tonight’s Personnel
Saxophones
Brad Wagner*
John Orsini
Chris Burge
Johnny Cochran
George Shernit
Trombones
Brett Balika
Chris Anderson
Chas Baker
Paul Hungerford
Trumpets
Dave Banks
Scott McKee
Jack Schantz
Garrett Folger
Rhythm
Aidan Plank, bass**
Jim Rupp, drums
Theron Brown, piano
Featured Vocals
Judi Silvano
*Barbara Becker endowed chair
**Carol & Stuart Reese endowed chair
Tonight’s selections will include:
All the Way……….James Van Heusen
Absolute Music……….Chas Baker
Cub Tones……….Chas Baker
Body and Soul……….John Green, arr. Paul Ferguson
Fly Me to the Moon……….Bart Howard, arr. Paul Ferguson
Only the Lonely……….James Van Heusen, arr. Paul Ferguson
Looking Glass……….Dave Morgan *featuring vocalist Judi Silvano
Lines and Spaces……….Joe Lovano, arr. Brad Wagner
Say It (Over and Over Again)……….Jimmy McHugh and Frank Loesser, arr. Dave Morgan
Bougainvillea……….Judi Silvano, arr. Dave Morgan *featuring vocalist Judi Silvano
Viva Caruso……….Joe Lovano, arr. Dave Morgan *featuring vocalist Judi Silvano
Cymbalism……….Joe Lovano, arr. Dave Morgan
Wayne Shorter Medley……….Wayne Shorter, arr. Paul Ferguson
Resolution……….John Coltrane, arr. Jim McNeely
Tonight, we are proud to welcome Joe Mosbrook into the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Preservation Circle.
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.