Join us for our "first Thursdays" big band residency led by trombonist/composer, Sam Blakeslee, as the band performs Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn classics! Also featured will be appearances by trumpeter, Dominick Farinacci, and the Tri-C Next Gen Little Big Band!
For a special concert presented in conjunction with the Tri-C JazzFest, the Tri-C Next Gen Little Big Band teams up with Sam Blakeslee Large Group to present “Exploring Ellington” with special guest, Dominick Farinacci. Both groups will be performing the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn spanning across both of their careers as some of the most prolific composers in the history of jazz.
In addition to opening for the Sam Blakeslee Large Group, members of the Tri-C Next Gen will be performing with the Large Group throughout the evening, keeping with the rich tradition of jazz education that Tri-C JazzFest has provided in the Greater Cleveland area for over 25 years.
Members of the Tri-C Jazz Prep Faculty (Chris Coles – alto saxophone, Johnny Cochran – tenor saxophone, Theron Brown – piano, Aidan Plank – bass, Anthony Taddeo – percussion) will also be featured with the Large Group as well as Tri-C Jazz Studies Drumset Faculty member Jim Rupp.
Come out for a very special edition of our big band residency – two groups plus an internationally-renowned special guest trumpeter, Dominick Farinacci – get your tickets today!
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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.