Time to speak up for COD jazz group

Jazz lovers who support the Arts Center Jazz Ensemble, the professional jazz big band in residence at the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage, may have less opportunity to hear these great musicians next year.

Director Tom Tallman recently announced that this is his last season leading the jazz ensemble. The only definite plans for an ACJE performance for next season will be the KidJazz Concert in early spring.

The ACJE is the only in-residence professional jazz ensemble in the Chicago area. I have watched them many times during the past 20 years. This group has been the crown jewel of the Mac, but the golden age of the ACJE now appears to be in jeopardy. No final decision has yet been made about next year's performance schedule.

If you value keeping the ACJE, contact the performing arts at the Mac, at (630) 942-3008. If jazz lovers who value this part of our culture in the West suburbs do not speak out to support the current level of funding for this group now, they should not be surprised to see only a single ACJE one-hour performance on next season's calendar.

Linda Kottis

Naperville