Oakton College and Niles North High School Jazz Up the Night in a Musical Collaboration, Feb. 2

Oakton College faculty and the Niles North High School Jazz Band perform together for the community

Get ready for an unforgettable night of jazz as Oakton College's esteemed music faculty and the celebrated Niles North High School Jazz Band join forces to present "Jazzin' Around," Feb. 2. This extraordinary musical event, following a day of jazz workshops for aspiring young musicians, facilitated by Oakton, promises to be a celebration of talent, creativity and the joy of jazz.

The concert, scheduled for 8 p.m. Feb. 2, will take place at Oakton's Footlik Theater, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. Tickets for the event are priced at $8 for general admission and $6 for students and seniors, offering an affordable opportunity for the community to experience the magic of this unique collaboration.

Attendees can look forward to a diverse repertoire featuring classic and contemporary favorites, ensuring there's something for everyone. The Oakton music faculty, led and produced by Mark Olen, will showcase their musical prowess with Olen on trumpet and flugelhorn, Tim McNamara on tenor saxophone and flute, Bret Sher on drums and Tom Clippert on guitar. Joining them on stage will be Jeremy Kash on piano and Dennis Carroll on bass, creating an ensemble of some of the Midwest's finest performers.

Adding to the excitement, the "older" musicians from Oakton will be preceded by the Niles North High School Jazz Band under Mike Moehlmann, director of bands at Niles North High School. The Jazz Band, consisting of 31 students ranging from freshman to senior, has grown to become the largest since Moehlmann took over seven years ago. With a track record of performances at various festivals and events, including the prestigious Jazz in the Meadows, where multiple students have earned outstanding soloist awards, the Niles North High School Jazz Band promises to deliver a stellar performance.

The concert will be the highlight of a day filled with clinics, where students can work closely with Oakton faculty on jazz interpretation and playing in large jazz ensembles. Over the years, these workshops have proven to be transformative for many students, inspiring them to pursue music studies at Oakton.

Don't miss your chance to be part of this musical extravaganza. Purchase tickets for "Jazzin' Around" at the Box Office or by calling (847) 635-1900.

For more information about Oakton's events, please visit events.oakton.edu.

To explore the music classes offered at Oakton, visit oakton.edu.