Chicago Jazz Orchestra to Present Special Big Band Tribute to Jaco Pastorius

Because of the prodigious talent of bassist and composer Jaco Pastorius, who passed away at the young age of 35, presenting a tribute to this musical genius is a daunting venture. With the help of Italian bass virtuoso and arranger Maurizio Rolli, Jeff Lindberg and his Chicago Jazz Orchestra will explore the multi-dimensional talent of Pastorius in their Big Band Tribute to Jaco Pastorius, scheduled for Fri., Feb. 4 at the International House of the University of Chicago and Sat., Feb. 5 at the Evanston Jazz Festival.

"Later in his career, Jaco was concentrating more and more on composing, particularly for the larger ensemble," said Lindberg. "This big band tribute is not only a celebration of Jaco's music and his incredible talent as a bass player, but also an attempt to highlight his interest in composing for the larger ensemble, a musical goal that he was, unfortunately, unable to completely fulfill."

For this special performance the CJO is bringing the Italian virtuoso bassist Maurizio Rolli, who modeled his own playing after Jaco and, significant to this project, created his own big band arrangements of Pastorius' material. Rolli, an award-winning bass player, composer, director, and music educator, is currently artistic director of the Italian jazz orchestra "Accademia Musicale Pescarese" which recorded Moodswings, a tribute to the music of Jaco Pastorius with Michael Manring and Mike Stern. CJO artistic director Lindberg will also contribute repertoire to these performances by transcribing material from Pastorius' well-known big band album, Word of Mouth Revisited.

Ticket information:

Friday, Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m. (International House, University of Chicago, 1414 E. 59th Street, Chicago): tel. 312-409-3947; web: www.chicagojazzorchestra.com
Saturday, Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m. (Evanston Jazz Festival, ETHS Auditorium, 1600 Dodge Ave., Evanston): tel. 847-424-7848; web: www.ethsjazz.com.

The CJOA's Big Band Tribute to Jaco Pastorius is supported by an Artistic Excellence Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The primary media sponsor is radio station WDCB 90.9 FM Public Radio--College of DuPage.

Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra 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 also performs compositions and arrangements by members of the orchestra, including Associate Artistic Director Charley Harrison, whose CD Keeping My Composure, featuring Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra, has garnered excellent reviews locally and nationally.

Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra became the first professional jazz orchestra in Chicago to present a yearly subscription series (1998-99). The CJO is nationally recognized, and celebrated its 21st year as the resident orchestra for The Kennedy Center Honors Gala in Washington, D.C. this past December. The CJO's 2005 compact disc Clark Terry and Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra: George Gershwin's Porgy and 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 receives support from the Illinois Arts Council, The Joseph B. Glossberg Foundation, The Shana Alexander Charitable Foundation of New York, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The Oppenheimer Family Foundation, and The Irving B. Harris Foundation. Additional in-kind support from the Jazz Institute of Chicago and WHPK 88.5 FM.

 

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