WILLIAMSPORT CITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA TO PRESENT HOLIDAY JAZZ CONCERT AT LYCOMING COLLEGE ON FRIDAY, DEC. 20 AND AT THE DEANE CENTER IN WELLSBORO ON SATURDAY, DEC. 21
The Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra is presenting its popular annual Holiday Jazz Concert twice, first on Friday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at its home in the Trachte Music Center at Lycoming College and the next night, Saturday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m.at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.
Tickets for the Trachte Music Center concert in Williamsport on Dec. 20 are $20 and available at the door only. Students with ID are admitted free.
The Deane Center concert in Wellsboro on Dec. 21 is BYOB with audience members encouraged to reserve a table, bring their own favorite beverages and snacks and sit with family and friends to enjoy the music. There will be room for dancing. Admission is $20. For tickets and to reserve a table, visit www.deanecenter.com or call 570-724-6220.
The concert will include big band holiday favorites. Among them are: Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra’s “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, Gordon Goodwin’s “The Little Drummer Boy”, the Overture from Shorty Roger’s “Swingin’ Nutcracker”, Trombonist Kevin Henry’s “Jazzige Nacht”, “O Holy Night” with Eddie Severn on trumpet, and Ella Fitzgerald arrangements of holiday jazz classics featuring vocalist Suezie Cioffi.
The Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra was founded in 2011 to showcase the Williamsport area’s talented jazz musicians, artists, teachers, and performers. Members include alumni of the Glenn Miller Big Band, the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, the Buddy Rich Band, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and many other famous jazz bands.
The 18 members of the Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra are: Rhythm section – Tim Breon (guitar), Matt Radspinner (bass), Steve Adams (piano) and Bobby Leidhecker (drums); Trumpet section – Eddie Severn, Dale Orris, Jeff Smith and Doug LeBlanc; Saxophone section – Larry Fisher, Adam Wright, Dick Adams, Diana Bailey and Laura Garside; Trombone section – Kevin Henry, Becky Ciabattari, Mike Damiani and Bill Ciabattari; and Vocals – Suezie Cioffi.
The orchestra plays an exciting variety of big band tunes, from the popular and familiar to obscure and new. Performances on both Dec. 20 in Williamsport and Dec. 21 in Wellsboro are sure to appeal to all.
In addition to the popular annual Holiday Jazz Concert, the orchestra celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month in April with concerts featuring guest artists and jazz education workshops for area students. The orchestra also performs several other concerts throughout the year.
For more information about the orchestra, visit the Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra Facebook page or email wmsptcityjazz@gmail.com.