COD's Jazz Fest aims to add sizzle to winter
Jazz may whisk you away to the steamy nightly party in New Orleans' French Quarter. Or maybe it escorts you to a cool Chicago club.
But soon the sounds just might get you thinking about the College of DuPage, which plays host this weekend to its inaugural Winter Jazz Fest.
Organizers say they plan to celebrate the genre, showcase top-notch musicians and enlarge the Glen Ellyn school's dot on the jazz map.
In the course of two days - Friday and Saturday, Jan. 15 and 16 - the college and its WDCB Public Radio station will welcome five concerts to the school's McAninch Arts Center. Lineups offer everything from a participatory family concert to Grammy-nominated performers.
"One of the neat things about this festival is everyone is Chicago-based," said Ken Scott, director of marketing and fundraising for WDCB, heard at 90.9-FM. He added that organizers wanted to have "something for everybody" with a blend of contemporary, classic, Latin and guitar composition jazz.
Organizers hope the strength of the lineup helps turn Winter Jazz Fest into an annual event.
"Jazz in January, that alone is a big deal," Scott said, "but also the caliber of musicians we have doing this."
The Orbert Davis Quintet, featuring saxophonist and pianist Ari Brown, will open the festival with a performance at 8 p.m. Friday. Davis is a trumpet player and composer who co-founded Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. Brown has recorded four albums with Davis and also has worked with Von Freeman, Bobby Watson, McCoy Tyner and Sonny Stitt.
Friday also features a set by Mambo Zombies, a Latin jazz trio featuring members who have played with Celia Cruz, Otis Clay, Bo Diddley, Tito Puente, Lou Rawls and Ronnie Earl. The show begins at 10 p.m. in the MAC'S Theatre 2.
The Kidjazz! concert is a good way to expose children to jazz, said MAC Director Stephen Cummins. At 10 a.m. Saturday, Tom Tallman, Darryl Boggs and the Arts Center Jazz Ensemble will invite families to sing, dance and kazoo along to tunes by the likes of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis.
Vocalist Kurt Elling, an eight-time Grammy nominee, performs at 8 p.m. Saturday. He blends poetry, imagery and movement on stage in the style of vocalese, or setting lyrics to familiar instrumental pieces.
Guitarists Steve Ramsdell and Zvonimir Tot close out the festival with a performance at 10 p.m. in Theatre 2. The two will play solo as well as together.
The festival is the latest in a series of events and concerts the college and radio station have collaborated on. In addition to the ongoing Jazz at the MAC series, the partnership has organized the annual Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn and the Jazz at Sunset summer outdoor concert series.
"(Our mission) is to create more opportunities for our audiences to enjoy live jazz music and to create more opportunities for jazz musicians to play," Scott said.
With such noted acts on the bill, jazz fans will not have to go far to hear Chicago-quality entertainment.
"We do it great in the 'burbs," Cummins said.
If you goWinter Jazz Fest features five concerts Jan. 15 and 16 at the College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Tickets are available for individual shows; five-concert packages cost $75. Info: atthemac.org or (630) 942-4000.Orbert Davis QuintetWhen: 8 p.m. Jan. 15Where: Main stageTickets: $30 for adults, $28 for seniors, $20 for youthMambo ZombiesWhen: 10 p.m. Jan. 15Where: Theatre 2Tickets: $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $10 for youthKidjazz!When: 10 a.m. Jan. 16Where: Main stageTickets: $12Kurt EllingWhen: 8 p.m. Jan. 16Where: Main StageTickets: $38 for adults, $36 for seniors, $28 for youthSteve Ramsdell and Zvonimir TotWhen: 10 p.m. Jan. 16Where: Theatre 2Tickets: $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $10 for youthFalse452361The Orbert Davis Quintet, featuring saxophonist and pianist Ari Brown, opens the Winter Jazz Fest with a performance at 8 p.m. Friday at the College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center.Courtesy College of DuPageFalse