ESO to present 'Big Band Blast'

Toes will be tapping and hands clapping at the Elgin Symphony Orchestra's "Big Band Blast" on April 17-19. Guest pianist Rich Ridenour joins a trio of vocalists, The Boogie Woogie Babies, and music director Robert Hanson in celebrating beloved Big Band gems, including "Take the A Train," "Sing Sing Sing" and "In the Mood."

"Rich Ridenour, who will be appearing with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for an unprecedented seventh time, and the Boogie Woogie Babies who make their ESO debut, make this a concert full of flair and fun," says Music Director Robert Hanson.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday, April 17 at the Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg, and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 18 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 19 at the Hemmens Theatre in Elgin. Tickets start at $25 and may be purchased by calling the box office at (847) 888-4000, or online 24 hours a day at www.ElginSymphony.org.

Ridenour's concerts of great piano favorites include classical masterworks and American ragtime, jazz and rock n' roll. He has performed with many symphonies including those of Detroit, Midland-Odessa, South Bend, Jacksonville, and the Cleveland Pops, as well as appearing as a pops conductor with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. In addition to performance, Ridenour has an interest in music outreach and the development of musically aspiring youth, which led him to co-found the Grand Rapids Musicians' League and create the popular Keller Cooler Music Series, held at the Forest Hills Arts Center in Grand Rapids, Mich.