CJO Welcomes Pianist Monty Alexander Tonight

The Chicago Jazz Orchestra (CJO) under the direction of Artistic Director, Jeff Lindberg, presents its spring concert series beginning with tonight's April 11th performance featuring pianist Monty Alexander. Alexander will be featured in a performance of his own special brand of American jazz, popular song and music from his native Jamaica, performing with the 17-piece CJO. Making his first trip to Chicago in almost three years, Monty's appearance -- with a full big band instead of his usual trio, quartet or quintet -- promises to be a delightful event.

The CJO continues with a May 30th performance of the Chicago premiere of Charles Mingus's The Black Saint and The Sinner Lady, considered by many to be his finest composition. Bassist Rodney Whitaker joins the CJO for this historic performance. On the second half of the program, trumpeter Walter White joins the CJO to present a unique tribute to the great Maynard Ferguson. This tribute will feature arrangements from Maynard's exciting early 60's band, including works by Willie Maiden, J.J. Johnson and Slide Hampton.

All concerts will be presented at The Feinberg Theater, Venue Six10 at the Spertus Institute, 610 S. Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. This 400 seat theater will provide an intimate venue with outstanding acoustics for the CJO to perform in. Parking will be available for $12 for both of the concerts. Ticket prices are: $30 - $40 Tickets can be purchased from: chicagojazzorchestra.org.

The Chicago Jazz Orchestra (CJO) was founded in 1978 (Jazz Members Big Band) by Jeff Lindberg and the late Steve Jensen. Composed of Chicago's top musicians, the CJO is Chicago's oldest professional jazz orchestra in continuous operation and one of the oldest jazz repertory orchestras in the country. Conductor and Artistic Director Jeff Lindberg is one of the foremost transcribers in jazz. As a result, the orchestra's repertoire draws upon his vast library, which includes the works of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Benny Carter, Oliver Nelson, Ray Charles and many others. The CJO became the first professional jazz orchestra in Chicago to present a yearly subscription series (1998-99). The CJO's 2005 compact disc Clark Terry and Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra: George Gershwin's Porgy & Bess (Americana Music) received widespread critical acclaim, including a rare "five star" rating in Downbeat magazine. The CD has been voted among the top CD's of the decade by Downbeat magazine. The CJO's newest CD "Burstin Out" features vocalist Cyrille Aimee along with the orchestra in beautifully orchestrated arrangements of some of the most beloved jazz classics.