Oberlin Jazz Septet’s January Tour Includes NYC Tribute to Dick Sudhalter

The Oberlin Jazz Septet (OJS), an ensemble featuring some of the most talented young musicians studying at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, will take their music on the road this month. From today, Jan. 20, to Jan. 28, the OJS will play concerts and lead workshops for aspiring young musicians in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia.

The first public concert of the tour is tonight at the Rhythm House Cafe in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania; sets are at 8 and 9:45 p.m. Tomorrow, January 21, at 8 p.m., the OJS will play at Chris’ Jazz Café in Philadelphia. The following day, the OJS travels to New York City for a 7:30 p.m. performance at Cachaça, a Greenwich Village club. On Monday, January 26, the band moves uptown to Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, part of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Their 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola will be preceded by a 7 p.m. discussion with Dean of the Conservatory David H. Stull and Oberlin faculty and students, moderated by Todd Barkin of Jazz at Lincoln Center. The performances will be dedicated to the late jazz trumpeter and Oberlin alumnus Dick Sudhalter (pictured), who died last September. The final performance of the tour will take place on January 28 at Papa Ningo in Richmond, Virginia; the septet will play 8 and 9:45 p.m. sets.

In addition to their jazz club gigs, OJS members will make stops at several high schools and arts magnet schools, offering concerts and workshops for younger players. The OJS will visit Pittsburgh CAPA High School on January 20; Philadelphia High School for the Performing Arts on January 22; LaGuardia High School in New York City on January 23; Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. on January 27; and Hugenot High School in Richmond, Virginia on January 28.

Originally Published January 20, 2009