Jazz Consortium celebrates 11 years of Big Band Music at Nellie's June 12

A complimentary piece of anniversary cake and raffles are in store as the 17-piece Jazz Consortium Big Band celebrates its 11th anniversary at Nellie's Gastropub and Concert Hub from 6-9 p.m. Sunday, June 12.

The cover charge is $10 cash for adults, $5 for students 17 and younger. Nellie's is at 180 N. Smith St., Palatine, For information, call (847) 358-9150, ext. 2, or visit nelliespalatine.com.

"Over 11 years, so much has gone on! We've overcome a fire at Nellie's and the pandemic, and we're still here," said Jazz Consortium bandleader Roy Vombrack. "We're privileged to have had local high school jazz bands open for us. We've played some Big Band rarities, as well as favorites. We've had listeners, dancers. We've created a fun, yet interesting, atmosphere - you don't have to be a dyed-in-the-wool ballroom dancer or a jazz scholar to enjoy our music.

"We'll feature Benny Goodman's 'Sing, Sing, Sing', Maynard Ferguson's 'MacArthur Park', and band members' original compositions all in the same set," Vombrack said.

"And I want to add a big thank you to owners Mark and Jim Dolezal for taking a chance back in 2011 and giving us a regular, monthly home to share our love of Big Band music with everyone."

With a lineup 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 have gone 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.

More Jazz Consortium Big Band information and its upcoming schedule can be found at www.jcbigband.com.