MCC's Sunday concert to feature classic, jazz stars
The McHenry County College Second Sunday concert series will present "Unforgettable," an afternoon of memorable melodies and songs featuring Maureen Christine and Michael Bazan at 3 p.m. Sunday in the MCC Conference Center, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.
Christine, a concert vocalist and national recording artist, has performed throughout the country, delighting audiences with her "natural melodious, expressive voice." She has appeared with notable concert bands and jazz big bands, including musicians of the Count Basie Orchestra.
As a national recording artist, she has shared the stage with pop star Barry Manilow, and was awarded first place in the nation for the original song she wrote for United Way. In the Chicago area, she has headlined at such venues as the Palmer House, The Royal George Cabaret Theater, the historic Woodstock and Oshkosh Opera Houses, and the Holiday Star Plaza Theater. Her TV appearances include her performance on WGN as a frequent singer of the national anthem for the Chicago Cubs, and various public television programs including Artbeat Chicago.
Bazan performs classical music on flute and clarinet, as well as jazz music on tenor and alto saxophone. He has performed with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, jazz greats Cab Calloway and Billy Eckstine, the Four Tops, Frankie Valli and old-time entertainers Milton Berle and Bob Hope. Bazan is the director of the McHenry City Band, an 18-piece big band in the style of Glen Miller, and teaches at McHenry County College, where he directs the jazz ensemble and instructs private woodwind students.
The duo will be accompanied by pianist Don Stille, who has performed in major cities throughout the country with a long list of nationally and internationally acclaimed jazz artists. He is often a featured jazz artist on National Public Radio's "First House on the Right."
The valentine concert will feature jazz standards and popular favorites. It is free and open to the public. For details, call Thomas Takayama at (815) 479-7670.