Jazz Consortium Big Band at Chicago's Jazz Showcase July 7

The 17-piece Jazz Consortium Big Band, a monthly fixture at Palatine's Durty Nellie's Pub for the past three years, will make its debut Monday, July 7, at Chicago's legendary Jazz Showcase, the iconic club known for presenting world-famous jazz performers, at 806 S. Plymouth Ct., Chicago. There are two shows, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Cover charge is $10, or $5 for students, musicians and Jazz Institute of Chicago members. Phone: 312.360.0234. Website: www.jazzshowcase.com.

With a brassy mix of 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 5 saxes and rhythm section, the Jazz Consortium Big Band (www.jcbigband.com) features swing and jazz-rock favorites by such famous Big Bands as Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Woody Herman and Maynard Ferguson, and originals by band-members.

"The Jazz Showcase is known for featuring exceptional jazz music, so we're pumped to be a tiny part of its amazing history," commented Jazz Consortium bandleader Roy Vombrack. "We'll be playing some classic songs, tunes by present and former Chicagoans, plus extended pieces by band-members. Hopefully something for everyone, from jazz aficionados to casual fans."

The Jazz Consortium Big Band first came together in the mid-1970's. Performing at the original Durty Nellie's in Palatine, the band mostly consisted of recently graduated or current University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University and Northwestern University musicians with a love of Big Band music. The group went on to perform at jazz clubs, nightspots and concerts throughout Chicagoland, including an appearance at the Chicago Jazz Festival. For the past three years the band has played the second Sunday every month at the "new" Durty Nellie's, plus performing throughout Chicagoland at other venues, concerts, and on WGN-TV.