Fox Valley Jazz Big Band launches its first season Sept. 15 at The Venue

The Venue, 21 S. Broadway Ave. in Aurora, will present the Fox Valley Jazz Big Band at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15.

Doors open at 1 p.m.

Featuring the Fox Valley's finest jazz musicians under the direction of Jeff Ford, the band's inaugural concert brings classic charts from legends like Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Phil Woods, Duke Ellington, Frank Foster and local composer Matt Erion.

Come early to the "Session Notes" for a preconcert discussion of the history of the music with director Jeff Ford.

Advance tickets for reserved table seating are $25 or $30 at the door.

Advance general admission is $20 or $25 at the door.

For more on the Fox Valley Jazz Big Band, visit fvjazzbigband.org or www.facebook.com/foxvalleyjazzbigband.

The Venue, which opened in February, books nationally recognized talent in all genres of music from blues and big band, to rock and world music, and everything in between. Frequently, the opening acts feature regional and local musicians and songwriters.

The listening room seats 200 with no obstructed views, and our outdoor stage area can fit several hundred festival fans.

It is a part of the Fox Valley Music Foundation, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit dedicated to music education and preservation.

For more information about The Venue, visit themusicvenue.org or www.facebook.com/TheVenueAurora/.