CCM’s Jazz Ensembles will celebrate the greats of both classic and contemporary jazz in a remarkable series of concerts this spring.
Under the musical direction of Professors Scott Belck and Craig Bailey, CCM’s big bands will also welcome a wide variety of guest artists to the stage. Tickets for all performances are on sale now.
The Spring Jazz Series opens on Sunday, Jan. 25, with a concert highlighting the works of contemporary jazz composers including nine-time GRAMMY Award-nominee Jim McNeely and three-time GRAMMY Award-winner Maria Schneider. The concert will also showcase new compositions by students in CCM’s Department of Jazz Studies.
On Sunday, Feb. 15, CCM Jazz will celebrate the music of Ray Charles with “Jazz + Genius = Soul.” The tribute concert takes its name from a legendary 1961 album by Charles, which features big band arrangements by Quincy Jones and Ralph Burns. Guest vocalist Billy Osborne and new CCM Jazz Professor Craig Bailey, who spent nearly 20 years as lead alto saxophonist in Ray Charles’ band, will help take audiences back to the days of the great Ray Charles Orchestra.
Other highlights include a concert dedicated to frequent collaborators Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn on Sunday, March 8, featuring guest artist and lecturer Todd Stoll. A CCM alumnus, Stoll (MM Trumpet, 1991) currently serves as Vice President of Education at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.
On Sunday, April 12, CCM’s Jazz Ensembles and Philharmonia Orchestra join forces for a special performance of Chuck Owen’s River Runs, a concerto for jazz guitar, saxophone and orchestra. Faculty emeritus and saxophonist Rick VanMatre makes his return to the CCM stage for this performance, which acclaimed jazz bassist Rufus Reid has called “a tour de force.” Mark Gibson and Scott Belck conduct.
In addition, CCM’s illustrious jazz faculty will present a pair of free concerts this spring. On Tuesday, Feb. 10, CCM’s Faculty Jazztet will perform in the stunning Robert J. Werner Recital Hall, with a lineup including Craig Bailey, James Bunte, Rick VanMatre, Scott Belck, Marc Fields, Rusty Burge, James. E Smith, Phil DeGreg, Aaron Jacobs, Art Gore and John Von Ohlen.
On Tuesday, Feb. 17, CCM celebrates the career of Jazz Studies professor Phil DeGreg with a concert of music composed by DeGreg! He will be joined by other faculty artists, including Rick VanMatre, Rusty Burge, Kim Pensyl, Scott Belck, Marc Fields, Craig Bailey and more for this very special event.
Event Information
All events listed below take place on the campus of the University of Cincinnati unless otherwise indicated. Some events do require purchased tickets; please see individual event information for single ticket prices and ordering information.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online now through our e-Box Office! Visit ccm.uc.edu/boxoffice for CCM Box Office hours and location.
All event dates and programs are subject to change. Visit ccm.uc.edu or contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 for the most current event information.
Parking and Directions
Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Please visit uc.edu/parking for more information on parking rates.
For detailed maps and directions, please visit uc.edu/visitors. Additional parking is available off-campus at the new U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.
For directions to CCM Village, visit ccm.uc.edu/about/directions.
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2015 SPRING JAZZ SERIES
7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25
CCM JAZZ: COMPOSERS CONCERT
CCM Jazz Ensembles
Scott Belck and Craig Bailey, conductors
Featuring adventurous works from some of today’s most exciting and interesting composers, including Maria Schneider, Kenny Wheeler, Ellen Rowe and Jim McNeely as well as compositions from CCM Jazz students, faculty and alumni.
Location: Corbett Auditorium
Tickets: $12 general, $6 non-UC students, UC students FREE.
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7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10
Faculty Jazztet
Featuring Craig Bailey, James Bunte and Rick VanMatre, saxophone; Scott Belck, trumpet; Marc Fields, trombone; Russell Burge, vibraphone; James E. Smith, guitar; Phil DeGreg, piano; Aaron Jacobs, bass; Art Gore and John Von Ohlen, drums
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Admission: FREE
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7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15
JAZZ+GENIUS+SOUL = THE MUSIC OF RAY CHARLES
CCM Jazz Ensembles
Scott Belck and Craig Bailey, conductors
Featuring guest artist Billy Osborne, vocals
Ray Charles re-defined the sound of the big band with his classic blend of soul, jazz, gospel and swing. New CCM jazz professor Craig Bailey, a Ray Charles alumnus and former lead alto saxophonist who spent nearly 20 years with the band, takes us back to the days of the great Ray Charles Orchestra by welcoming vocalist Billy Osborne to join the CCM Jazz Ensembles.
Location: Corbett Auditorium
Tickets: $12 general, $6 non-UC students, UC students FREE.
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8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17
THE ORIGINAL PHIL DEGREG AND FRIENDS
CCM celebrates the career of Professor of Jazz Studies Phil DeGreg with a concert of music composed by the faculty artist! DeGreg will be joined by guest artists Rick VanMatre, Rusty Burge, Kim Pensyl, Scott Belck, Marc Fields, Craig Bailey and more for this very special event.
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater
Admission: FREE
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7 p.m. Sunday, March 8
MODERN MASTERS: THE MUSIC OF ELLINGTON AND STRAYHORN
CCM Jazz Ensembles
Scott Belck and Craig Bailey, conductors
Featuring guest artist Todd Stoll, conductor and lecturer
Considered by many as the greatest American composer of all time, Duke Ellington embodied the elegance, dignity and sophistication of a classic era while his band personified the joy and exuberance of swing. Come celebrate Ellington’s music with CCM Jazz.
Location: Patricia Corbett Theater
Tickets: $12 general, $6 non-UC students, UC students FREE.
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7 p.m. Sunday, April 12
RIVER RUNS – A CONCERTO FOR JAZZ GUITAR, SAXOPHONE AND ORCHESTRA BY CHUCK OWEN
CCM Philharmonia Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble
Mark Gibson and Scott Belck, music conductors
Featuring faculty emeritus artist Rick VanMatre, saxophone
Our annual collaborative concert where Jazz and Orchestra meet. This year’s concert features a stunning five-movement work that Rufus Reid, acclaimed bassist and educator, describes as, “a tour de force of contemporary orchestral composition.” Nominated for two Grammy awards, this beautiful work will take your breath away.
Location: Corbett Auditorium
Tickets: $12 general, $6 non-UC students, UC students FREE.
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CCM Season Presenting Sponsor and Musical Theatre Program Sponsor: The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation
Community Partner: ArtsWave
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