Billy Strayhorn News

The Music Institute of Chicago collaborates with Dance Chicago to present a family concert, 'Duke It Out!,' Today, December 10 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's holiday season at New York City Center launched on November 30th with an Opening Night Gala Benefit performance and party that honored Diageo, North America, represented by Almaz & Marc S. Strachan.

The Music Institute of Chicago welcomes the holiday season and the new year with a series of events for Chicago-area music lovers of all ages. Except where noted, events offer FREE admission and take place at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston.

Aficionados of jazz, blues, or just good music; RUN, don't walk, to experience the world premiere of playwright Carol Eglash-Kosoff's WHEN JAZZ HAD THE BLUES. A stunning combination of musical talents converge to sing, dance and emote the hell out of Eglash-Kosoff's story of jazz pianist/lyricist/arranger/composer Billy Strayhorn.

CEK Productions presents the World Premiere of WHEN JAZZ HAD THE BLUES, book by Carole Eglash-Kosoff, musical direction and arrangements by Rahn Coleman, choreography by Cassie Crump and direction by John Henry Davis. WHEN JAZZ HAD THE BLUES begins previews Friday, November 11, 2016 and opens Friday, November 18 at 8pm. The production runs through Sunday, December 18 at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood.

CEK Productions presents the World Premiere of LUSH LIFE, book by Carole Eglash-Kosoff, musical direction and arrangements by Rahn Coleman, choreography by Cassie Crump and direction by John Henry Davis. LUSH LIFE begins previews Today, November 11, 2016 and opens Today, November 18 at 8pm. The production runs through Sunday, December 18 at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood.

CEK Productions presents the World Premiere of WHEN JAZZ HAD THE BLUES, book by Carole Eglash-Kosoff, musical direction and arrangements by Rahn Coleman, choreography by Cassie Crump and direction by John Henry Davis.

CEK Productions presents the World Premiere of LUSH LIFE, book by Carole Eglash-Kosoff, musical direction and arrangements by Rahn Coleman, choreography by Cassie Crump and direction by John Henry Davis. LUSH LIFE begins previews Today, November 11, 2016 and opens Today, November 18 at 8pm. The production runs through Sunday, December 18 at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for November 21-27, featuring Chucho Valdes-Joe Lovano Quintet, Steve Ross, Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano, and more. Scroll down for details!

On Tuesday, November 22 the AZ Swing Kings bring you The Great American Songbook and All That Jazz! The AZ Swing Kings Orchestra is a Valley favorite and consists of 18 instrumentalists and a vocalist. The orchestra is under the direction of Lenny King - former creator and director of the Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra - and all the musicians are experienced professional performers playing original arrangements made famous by the such great bands as: Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington, Maynard Ferguson and many others. The featured vocalist is Joni King.

Maria Guida Swings the Standards is set for The Metropolitan Room next month.

Maria Guida Swings the Standards is set for The Metropolitan Room next month.

CEK Productions presents the World Premiere of LUSH LIFE, book by Carole Eglash-Kosoff, musical direction and arrangements by Rahn Coleman, choreography by Cassie Crump and direction by John Henry Davis. LUSH LIFE begins previews Friday, November 11, 2016 and opens Friday, November 18 at 8pm. The production runs through Sunday, December 18 at the Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood.

The Grammy Award-winning Harlem Quartet teams up with Cuban piano virtuoso and composer Aldo Lopez-Gavilan Today, October 21, 8 PM for a program of jazz standards plus original jazz compositions by Aldo Lopez-Gavilan.  The concert takes place at Wayne State University's Schaver Music Recital Hall, located at 480 W. Hancock (between Cass & Second Avenues) on the campus of Wayne State University.  Tickets, priced at $30 for adults and $15 for students, are available online atwww.CMSDetroit.org or by phone at 248-855-6070.

The Music Institute of Chicago collaborates with Dance Chicago to present a family concert, 'Duke It Out!,' Saturday, December 10 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston.

Chicago-based vocalist Sam Fazio returns to Manhattan's Feinstein's/54 Below for a special evening on October 8th at 9:30pm.

Setting down roots in Pittsburgh two years ago has borne fruit for alto saxophonist Richie Cole in the form of his beautiful new album, 'Richie Cole Plays Ballads & Love Songs.' The CD, his first all-ballads album, will be released on his Richie Cole Presents imprint on October 21.

This September, Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

This September, Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

The Grammy Award-winning Harlem Quartet teams up with Cuban piano virtuoso and composer Aldo Lopez-Gavilan Friday, October 21, 8 PM for a program of jazz standards plus original jazz compositions by Aldo Lopez-Gavilan.  The concert takes place at Wayne State University's Schaver Music Recital Hall, located at 480 W. Hancock (between Cass & Second Avenues) on the campus of Wayne State University.  Tickets, priced at $30 for adults and $15 for students, are available online atwww.CMSDetroit.org or by phone at 248-855-6070.