Join us for our "first Thursdays" big band residency led by trombonist/composer, Sam Blakeslee, with special guest artist - drummer Jim Rupp! Featuring the music of legendary big band composers Thad Jones, Jim McNeely & Bob Brookmeyer!
We have a very special evening in store as we celebrate the composers of New York City's legendary jazz club, the Village Vanguard, performing the music of Thad Jones, Bob Brookmeyer & Jim McNeely! Holding down the drum chair will be very special guest, drummer Jim Rupp! Rupp has done extensive touring with the bands of Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson & Glenn Miller, with additional performance and tour highlights including Diane Schuur, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Joe Lovano, Hank Marr, Buddy DeFranco, Maria Schneider, Clark Terry, Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, John Fedchock & Natalie Cole, to name a few.
While bandleader Sam Blakeslee leads many of his own projects, The Sam Blakeslee Large Group is his unique signature. The ensemble is a high-energy 17-piece contemporary jazz orchestra that features original music of his or other members of the group. Its repertoire is an exciting mix of hip-hop, contemporary classical music, as well as hard-swinging traditional jazz styles. The members of the group are some of the most creative and innovative players and composers in the Northeast Ohio area. One of the goals of the group is to also create a larger regional network of musicians by bringing in artists from Detroit, Pittsburgh, and NYC.
Join us every “first Thursday” of the month to experience the thriving sounds of our Northeast Ohio jazz scene – get your tickets early for this very special show! Featuring Bobby Selvaggio, Nathan Davis, Chris Coles, Johnny Cochran, Brad Wagner, Scott McKee, Joe Badaczewski, Ed Kline, Jack Schantz, Sam Blakeslee, Caleb Smith, Max Brady, Mark Mauldin, Theron Brown, Dave Morgan, Jim Rupp.
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About BLU Jazz+ Masterclass Foundation (BJMF)
Committed to the preservation of America’s treasured art form of jazz, BLU Jazz+ Masterclass Foundation (BJMF) is a new program developed by the founders of BLU Jazz+ Akron (BJA) that brings “front-row” jazz education performance & mentorship opportunities to student musicians and art lovers alike by presenting a series of masterclasses led by top visiting musicians from all over the world.
Recipient of a 2015 Knights Art Challenge grant award by the Knight Foundation, BLU Jazz+ Masterclass Foundation expands upon the essence of Akron, Ohio’s award-winning live jazz destination, BLU Jazz+ Akron (BJA), launched in Fall 2014.