The showcase for high school jazz bands at Palatine's Durty Nellie's Pub continues in 2015, with the Barrington High School Rithum Machine opening for the Jazz Consortium Big Band Sunday, January 11. Directed by Randy Karon, the Barrington band plays at 6:00, followed by the Jazz Consortium from approximately 6:30 until 9:00. Cover charge starts at 6:30--$10 for adults and $5 for students 17 and under. Durty Nellie's is at 180 N. Smith St. in downtown Palatine, website www.durtynellies.com. Reservations suggested at 847.358.9150, ext. 0. Food service is available throughout the evening.

"Our Durty Nellie's shows are the second Sunday each month, and we will be featuring a different high school big band opening for us the rest of the school year," comments Jazz Consortium bandleader Roy Vombrack. "Our audiences get to hear the next generation of jazz musicians, many of which are scary good. It's a restaurant-style environment, so the students, their families and friends get to experience their performance on a professional stage for the general public outside of school."

Vombrack adds, "This is our fourth year of offering this program, and the response has been great. The kids are excited to play, and we get inspired by their enthusiasm and talent."

Although the Jazz Consortium Big Band has been featured in concerts and venues throughout Chicagoland the past year (including the prestigious Jazz Showcase nightclub), Durty Nellie's has remained its monthly home base the second Sunday each month for nearly four years. The 17-member group's performance is always open to all ages, and features Big Band sounds from the Swing era to modern-day Big Band selections.

The Jazz Consortium Big Band's upcoming schedule can be found at www.jcbigband.com.