Trumpeter Jens Lindemann joins concert with DuPage Community Jazz Ensemble May 6

The DuPage Community Jazz Ensemble will virtually present "Then Is Now," featuring guest trumpeter Jens Lindemann, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 6.

A professor with high distinction at University of California-Los Angeles, Lindemann is the first classical brass soloist to receive the Order of Canada, the second highest honor for merit in the system of orders, decorations and medals of Canada. He is recipient of Germany's prestigious Echo Klassik award and a Grammy and Juno award nominee. Lindemann has performed extensively in concert venues around the world, including performances with the philharmonic orchestras of Berlin, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, New York and Tokyo, as well as at the Great Wall of China.

For COD Assistant Professor of Music and DuPage Community Jazz Ensemble Director Matt Shevitz, Lindemann and the other guest professional musicians provide an invaluable experience for the students.

"To have musicians with that breadth of experience and skill rehearse and perform with the band provides students a model of how a musician at that level works," he said. "The high level of their skills and knowledge teaches students the edge of what is possible and the feedback they offer is really helpful to budding professional musicians."

In addition to Lindemann, the May 6 performance features renowned multi-instrumentalist Matt Catingub, professor and head of the keyboard program at UCLA Inna Faliks and award-winning drummer/percussionist/producer Steve Moretti.

Chicago area jazz professionals Dave Katz, Luke Malewicz, Roy McGrath and Chris Seibold also will perform with the ensemble.

Based on his collaboration with Catingub designed to update big band and swing era music, Lindemann said a highlight of the concert is a new arrangement of George Gershwin's iconic "Rhapsody in Blue," which features elements of both the original arrangement from 1924 as well as the popular 1942 symphonic orchestration.

Looking forward to performing live with the ensemble, Lindemann said he and the other professional musicians set an example for the students to learn from and duplicate.

"When students play with professionals, it is the ultimate mentoring experience," he said. "Everyone is artistically equal in terms of responsibility, yet students will probably benefit the most from seeing the speed and efficiency required to put everything together. That only comes from proper preparation and the experience that professionals will literally be showing them on the job."

Tickets for the performance are $7. For more information, call the MAC Box Office at (630) 942-4000, or visit atthemac.org.

The Music program at College of DuPage offers the first two years of a baccalaureate music degree program, including coursework in theory and ear training, and a sequence of four piano courses designed for non-pianists. The program offers associate degrees in music and music business and a certificate in audio production, as well as private lessons in voice, piano, guitar, percussion, and all band and orchestra instruments.

Performing groups are open to all students regardless of major, and include Concert Choir, Jazz Choir, Chamber Singers, Community Jazz Ensemble, DuPage Chorale, DuPage Community Band, Chamber Orchestra, Small Group Jazz, Percussion Ensemble and Guitar Ensemble.