The JazzMN Orchestra will open its 2011-12 season with a performance by bassist and composer John Clayton, who will be joining Minnesota’s big band-style orchestra at the Hopkins Center for Performing Arts Saturday, October 1.
Clayton is recognized in both the jazz and classical fields. He co-leads both the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and the Clayton Brothers Quintet, a five-piece band that includes his brother Jeff and his son Gerald, and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards.
Also appearing will be guest vocalist Judi Donaghy. The Twin Cities native appears locally with the Wolverines Jazz Orchestra, the Girls, Urbanstride and her own acoustic ensemble, Judi, Cliff ‘n’ Daves. She is also a voice teacher and is the Vocal Dept. Chair at McNally Smith College in Saint Paul.
Advance tickets are priced at $27 and $29 with student tickets at $17 and are available online at JazzMN or by calling 1-866-811-4111. The JazzMN Orchestra, formed as a nonprofit jazz arts organization by Artistic Director Douglas Snapp in 1998, includes many of the Twin Cities’ finest jazz musicians. Members have performed with Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Artie Shaw and Woody Herman.
Additional JazzMN concert dates in the 2011-12 season are:
November 19, 2011-A Tribute to Miles Davis
March 10, 2012-Sizzling Sisters, The Caswell Sisters
April 21, 2012-Terell Stafford, trumpeter
All concerts are held at Hopkins High School Performing Arts Center, 2400 Lindberg Dr, Minnetonka.
For more information, visit JazzMN.
