The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, with Artistic Director Jon Faddis (pictured), will celebrate the music of Nat “King” Cole, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Thelonious Monk at a concert it’s calling Happy Birthday Nat, Diz, Ella & Monk. The event takes place on Friday, March 14, at 8:00 p.m. at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 East Randolph on the southeast corner of Chicago’s Millennium Park. Faddis and jazz aficionado Neil Tesser will kick off the evening with a conversation about the artists and their music from 7:00-7:30 p. m.
Faddis and the CJE will feature classic Gillespie big band arrangements (from Faddis’ personal library), plus Monk’s music as arranged by Michael Philip Mossman. The CJE’s own vocalist, Bobbi Wilsyn, will highlight the music of Cole and Fitzgerald.
Tickets for this program are $45, $35, $20 and $15 with a 10% discount to senior citizens and students and a 20% discount to groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased at (312) 344-6600,(312) 334-7777 or at Harris Theater. For more information on the Ninth American Heritage Jazz Series, visit Chicago Jazz Ensemble or call (312) 344-6270.
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