Jazz-pop combo ZAZZ comes to The Venue Jan. 17

At 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, ZAZZ, the jazz/pop combo, enters the unique listening space of The Venue, 21 S. Broadway in Aurora.

This 195-seat venue offers a stellar acoustics to engage in the music and serves drinks.

Part of the Fox Valley Music Foundation, their mission is to promote music of all genres and offer the highest caliber of performances.

ZAZZ presents the first jazz performance of 2020 at The Venue.

The sounds of ZAZZ morph and energize throughout the show. Their repertoire spans the gamut from jazz standards, to pop tunes, to new works and melding blends. Featuring the multitalented musicians, they change horns, change styles; create new grooves, and present music in creative and unique ways.

Deb Zelman picks up her clarinet not only to wail on the high register, but coo on the low tones. The next minute she scats and sings in fun and creative ways. But next to the clarinet sits her saxophones, which she picks up from time to time.

Gail Sonkin, keyboardist, composer and arranger, presents thoughtful comps, licks and unique blends of sound.

Ken O'Neil, tenor sax, surprises the audience with his stunning creativity, but then awes the crowd as he picks up the C and alto flutes.

Julian Webb, bass, stands firm on his rhythmic foundation and creative sounds. Jeff Gorski wows the crowd with his brilliance on the guitar, and Eric Pancer presents the heartbeat of the group with sensitivity and variety.

ZAZZ pushes the boundaries of jazz and crosses over from multiple genres. Hear a bit of classical music in a jazz standard, or a crossing of the line between swing and Latin grooves. ZAZZ can be heard throughout the Chicago area.

Tickets for the two shows range in price from $10-$15 and can be purchased online at themusicvenue.org/calendar.

To learn more about Zazz, visit www.zazzjazzcombo.com.