Jacobs High School Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Consortium Big Band to host concert, holiday food drive Nov. 24
A holiday food drive is being sponsored by the Jazz Consortium Big Band as a part of its Nov. 24 performance. It will be 6 to 9 p.m. at Fitz's Spare Keys, 119 N. York St., Elmhurst.
The band's extended residency continues on the fourth Sunday each month.
The cover charge at the eclectic music/restaurant/bowling alley venue is $10 for adults, $5 for age, 17 and under, with food and beverage service all evening.
A guest performance by Algonquin's Jacobs High School Jazz Ensemble, directed by Anthony Gnutek, will start the evening at 6 p.m.
"We're asking everyone attending to bring canned or nonperishable food items, which we will deliver to the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry," explains Jazz Consortium bandleader Roy Vombrack.
Vombrack adds, "The vibes have been so upbeat and positive since we started playing at Fitz's in February, we hope we can channel that good feeling into making a difference for people in need at the holidays."
With a line-up of five saxes, four trumpets, four trombones and rhythm section, the Jazz Consortium Big Band was founded in 1975 by college music student friends with a love of Big Band music. The group performed in club and concert venues throughout the Midwest, including the Chicago Jazz Festival. The band members went on to prolific professional careers in the studio and on stage with a wide range of entertainers and Big Band icons, including Tony Bennett, Maynard Ferguson, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Diana Ross and Frank Sinatra.
Currently the band - with mostly all original members - continues to share its love of the "Big Band sound" at clubs, concerts and special events throughout the area, bringing its variety of Swing, Latin, Jazz-Rock and Funk Big Band sounds to audiences of all ages.
To learn more about the Jazz Consortium Big Band and its upcoming schedule, visit www.jcbigband.com.
For more on Fitz's Spare Keys, call (630) 379-5007 or visit www.fitzssparekeys.com.