The driving & hard-swingin' big band works of acclaimed saxophonist, conductor & arranger, Ernie Wilkins, will be celebrated as this top-notch big band returns to BLU with arrangements popularized by Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson and the Terry Gibbs Big Band! Co-presented in partnership with the 40th Annual Tri-C JazzFest.
Comprised of musicians that hail from all across the region (representing Tri-C, Cleveland State University, Youngstown State University, Slippery Rock University, Duquesne University, Ohio State University, and the University of Cincinnati), the esteemed East-Central Jazz Educators All-Star Big Band makes their roarin’ return to BLU to perform the music of acclaimed saxophonist, conductor & arranger, Ernie Wilkins, featuring the arrangements he wrote for Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson and the Terry Gibbs Big Band. Additionally, the band will perform selections from their recent Tadd Dameron “Madd for Tadd: The Magic Continues” album, and other Dameron compositions he penned for Kansas City Big Band leader, Harlan Leonard.
Join us for this very special evening at BLU Jazz+ with the return of this incredible group of top-notch players – get your tickets today!Featuring Kent Englehardt, John Orsini, Mike Tomaro, Dave Kana, Chris Karlic, Scott McKee, Joe Badaczewski, Dominick Farinacci, Steve Enos, Jeff Bush, Jim Redmond, Max Brady, Zach Warren, Paul Abel, Phil DeGreg, Aidan Plank, Jim Rupp.