Jazz Consortium at Durty Nellie's in Palatine

Broadening big-band jazz music's appeal to the under-21 crowd, the 17-piece Jazz Consortium Big Band's shows are now open to all ages at Durty Nellie's Pub, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine.

Performing from 7-10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, the group plays swing and jazz-rock favorites from the repertoire of such famous big bands as Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich and Maynard Ferguson.

“We decided we could open our performances to all ages, since the performance ends by 10 p.m. and the venue is considered to be operating as a restaurant (with food and drink) until that time,” Jazz Consortium band leader/saxophonist Roy Vombrack said.

The Jazz Consortium reunited and returned to perform at Durty Nellie's in June after a 30-year absence. With a brassy mix of four trumpets, four trombones, five saxes and rhythm section, the audience response was so great the club has opened the second level overlooking the main floor to accommodate the overflow.

The performances are a return by the Jazz Consortium to its roots playing regularly at the original Durty Nellie's back in the mid-1970s.

Then, 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 Jazz Consortium disbanded in the early 1980s, with most of the members going on to full-time music careers. But following a successful private reunion concert last year, it was decided to get the band back together and find a public venue to play regularly.

Vombrack, a full-time professional musician, arranger/producer and charter band member, approached the new Durty Nellie's because of its history with the band, resulting in a commitment to perform on the second Sunday of each month through 2011.