In 2003-2004, show time in Columbus had a big band flair. The 31^st season of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra had guest artists who were Grammy winners, chart toppers, young lions, and gospel singers. Stars known locally and stars known internationally joined our stage for a season with audience favorites.

Season Sponsors: Greater Columbus Arts Council, Time Warner Cable, Ohio Arts Council, and The Columbus Foundation
Media Sponsors: Smooth Jazz 103.5, WBNS TV, and 920 WMNI

 

 

 

 

COMEDY JAM

Featuring Pete Barbutti and Dave Powers
The Great American Songbook Series
September 20-21, 2003 | Southern Theatre

Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show often featured the world’s favorite “musical” comedian, Pete Barbutti, the “Victor Borge” of jazz. He joined Byron Stripling and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra in this rollicking concert of fun music, making a new twist for the CJO. Program selections were announced from the stage.

Performers:

Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Michael Cox, Steve Genteline, Gene Walker, Chad Eby

Trombones
Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis, Bill Gemmer

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer, Jim Powell

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Lou Fischer – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums

SING, SING, SWING

Featuring Kelly Crum-Delaveris and Nelson Rangell
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
October 22-26, 2003 | Southern Theatre

This special concert featured Columbus Jazz Orchestra fan favorites, vocalist Kelly Crum-Delaveris and award winning woodwind star Nelson Rangell. Kelly and Nelson “stretched their wings” in an evening of toe-tapping tunes, great arrangements and beautiful ballads. Selections included: Bugle Call Rag, Take the “A” Train, Misty, Off Minor, The Girl From Ipanema, Bye Bye Blackbird, Things Ain’t What They Used to Be, Night in Tunisia, Watermelon Man, Cherokee, Take Five, Bridges, Giant Steps, Sonora, Birdland, and Sing Sing Sing.

Performers:

Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Michael Cox, Steve Genteline, John Vermuellen, Chad Eby

Trombones
Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis, Mark Greenwood

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Dwight Adams, Brad Goode

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Steve Schmidt – Piano | Stan Smith – Guitar | Lou Fischer – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums

THE JOHN PIZZARELLI SHOW

Swinging at the Southern Series
December 3 -7, 2003 | Southern Theatre

The 2003 Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s holiday celebration featured John Pizzarelli and his rendition of seasonal favorites. Pizzarelli was among the day’s hottest stars, and he came back for an encore performance with one of his favorite bands, the CJO. Byron and the band also brought a first half of CJO goodies to start December with a smile. Selections included: Santa Baby, Joy to the World, O Holy Night, Nutcracker Suite: Peanut Brittle Brigade, Jingle Bells, Merry Christmas Darling, This Christmas, Let It Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let’s Share Christmas, White Christmas, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve, Sleigh Ride, Christmas Time is Here, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Santa Claus is Near, The Christmas Song, Snowfall, Silent Night.

Performers:

Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Michael Cox, Steve Genteline, Chad Eby, Pete Mills

Trombones
Linda Landis, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer, Brad Goode

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Lou Fischer – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums

NEW YORK VOICES

The Great American Songbook Series
January 17-18, 2004 | Southern Theatre

Since the late 80’s, the New York Voices have been dazzling listeners. Concert goers who are fond of vocal jazz were thrilled to hear this exciting vocal quartet perform live with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra! Selections included: Moon River, Come Rain or Come Shine, Love For Sale, When You’re Smiling, Georgia on My Mind, Come Fly With Me, Chicago, Sing Sing Sing, I Can’t Believe You’re In Love With Me, Smack Dab in the Middle, Early Autumn, Bli Blip, Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens, Save Your Love For Me, Orange Colored Sky, Hallelujah I Love Her So, Cloudburst, Stardust, Don’t Be That Way, In A Mellow Tone, I’ll Be Seeing You, and A Night In Tunisia.

Performers:

Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Michael Cox, John Vernullen, Pete Mills, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer, Brad Goode

Rhythm Section
Hank Marr – Piano | Lou Fischer – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums

SEVEN STEPS TO HEAVEN

Featuring Wycliffe Gordon and Bobby Floyd
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
February 11-15, 2003 | Southern Theatre

Seven Steps to Heaven featured the Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s first venture into the mix of jazz and gospel music- a natural combination. An all-star gospel choir, coordinated by Milton Ruffin, the fantastic Bobby Floyd, and the trombonist who is shaking up the jazz world, Wycliffe Gordon, rocked the house. After numerous requests for a “gospel jazz” concert, the CJO responded with that and more. Selections included: Down by the Riverside, How Great Thou Art, Jesus Loves Me, Come Sunday, Battle Hymn of the Republic, The Lord’s Prayer, Hallelujah Scat, I Was Glad, Let Us Go Into the House, We Acknowledge Your Presence Oh Lord, It Is Well, Abundantly Blessed, What the World Needs Now/Amen, and The Presence of the Lord.

Performers:

Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Michael Cox, Chad Eby, Gene Walker, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis, Bill Gemmer

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer, Dwight Adams

Rhythm Section
Bobby Floyd – Piano | Chris Berg – Bass | Jeff Ciampa – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums

KENTON RETURNS!

Featuring Stephanie Nakasian and Pete Rugulo
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
March 24-28, 2004 | Southern Theatre

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s series of Stan Kenton tributes continued with a different flair, with a nod to the legendary Kenton vocalist June Christy, in Kenton Returns!, starring vocalist Stephanie Nakasian. Also on the program was legendary Kenton collaborator Pete Rugulo, one of the true creators of the “Kenton Sound.” Program selections were announced from the stage.

Performers:

Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Michael Cox, Gene Walker, Pete Mills, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Bill Gemmer, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis, Kai Watkins

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer, Brad Goode

Mellophones
Ben Huntoon, Tim Perdue

Rhythm Section
Mark Flugge – Piano | Al Berry – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums | Steve Grier – Congas

THE YOUNG LIONS

Featuring Benny Green and Russell Malone
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
April 28-May 2, 2004 | Southern Theatre

Audiences had asked for the new, young faces in jazz, and so the Columbus Jazz Orchestra presented Telarc recording stars, pianist Benny Green and guitarist Russell Malone, in The Young Lions. Green and Malone were among the most critically acclaimed musicians in jazz. Also featured were Columbus legend Hank Marr and CJO crowd favorite Dwight Lenox as a part of this swinging event. Selections included: I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Something To Live For, All Or Nothing At All, Quietude, Basie Power, Evidence, I Be Serious ‘Bout Them Blues, One Mint Julep, When Lights Are Low, Blue Bossa, and Tired Of Pretty Women.

Performers:

Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Gene Walker, Michael Cox, Pete Mills, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Linda Landis, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer, Brad Goode

Rhythm Section
Chris Berg – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums

ELLA AND LOUIS – TOGETHER AGAIN

Featuring Deborah Brown and Byron Stripling
Swingin’ at the Southern Series
June 2-6, 2004 | Southern Theatre

The Swingin’ at the Southern season concluded by honoring two of the great artists in the history of jazz and American music, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Columbus Jazz Orchestra Artistic Director Byron Stripling and the marvelous Deborah Brown recreated the music of these icons in a world-class production, live at the Southern. Selections included: Weatherbird, Swing That Music, I’m Confessin’ That I Love You, Potato Head Blues, Lady Be Good, How High The Moon, Honeysuckle Rose, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Our Love is Here to Stay, Sweet Georgia Brown, The Song is You, Always and Forever, My Favorite Things, Tiger Rag, What a Wonderful World, Hello Dolly, On the Sunny Side of the Street, Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You, Bill Bailey Won’t You Please Come Home, and Drop Me Off In Harlem.

 

Performers:

Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Jay Miglia, Michael Cox, Chad Eby, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Bill Gemmer, Ola Hanson, Jim Masters, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Jim Powell, Brad Goode

Rhythm Section
Mark Flugge – Piano | Lou Fischer – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums

BROADWAY LIGHTS

Featuring Maurice Hines
The Great American Songbook Series
June 26-27, 2004 | Southern Theatre

This summer treat featured the great Maurice Hines in a celebration of two of America’s great inventions – jazz and musical theatre. Maurice and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra thrilled audiences with their special treatment of audience favorite hits. Program selections were announced from the stage.

Performers:

Artistic Director – Byron Stripling

Saxophones
Byron Rooker, Mark Pinto, Michael Cox, Chad Eby, Steve Genteline

Trombones
Linda Landis, Ryan Hamilton, Ola Hanson, Pat Lewis

Trumpets
Wes Orr, Bob Everhart, Bob Birkhimer, Brad Goode

Rhythm Section
Tim Davis – Piano | Doug Richeson – Bass | Bob Breithaupt – Drums