New Orchestra Comes To Chicago

The JAM Orchestra proudly presents their inaugural concert Holiday Swing! An exciting new ensemble, the JAM Orchestra's concert takes play on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave. Concert begins at 7:30 PM.

Holiday Swing! will feature a 30-piece orchestra performing holiday favorites such as music from The Polar Express, The Christmas Song, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn's jazz setting of the Nutcracker Suite, and songs from White Christmas, featuring the vocal talents of Hannah Rose, Rachel Whyte, and Joe Lewis.

"Aaron, Justin, and I have always enjoyed playing music together. We particularly like to try and make each other laugh with improvisatory noodling while we play. I think the three of us share a very strong musical bond. There's something magical that happens when everyone in the group is all grasping at same either in the air when you're making music," says co-founder Michael Goldman. "Each one of us has the same idea of how good music feels when we jam together and wouldn't you know it, JAM happens to be an acronym made from the first letter of each of our names. I couldn't think of a better way to encompass our friendship mixed with our passion for what we do."

All tickets are $25 and can be purchased online or at the door. To purchase tickets, please go to www.skokietheatre.org or call the Skokie Theatre at 847-677-7761.

The JAM Orchestra is a unique ensemble that strives to present music at the highest quality to a broad spectrum of audience-goers. Our mission is to perform all works, from classical music to Broadway and film scores, with the utmost musical integrity including original orchestrations and instrumentation, the way they were meant to be heard. Our goal is to make the orchestra experience accessible to everyone by creating programs that honor both familiar music as well as shed a light on underrepresented musical works and composers. Featuring some of the finest musicians in Chicago, the JAM Orchestra strives to create a distinctive and rewarding musical experience for all involved.

The JAM Orchestra was founded in 2018 by the three members of the JAM Trio: Justin Kono, Aaron Kaplan, and Michael Goldman. After being friends for several years and playing in many pit orchestras together, the trio formed in 2015. Dedicated to musical quality and creating a distinct sound, the JAM Trio has collaborated on countless projects and performances including weddings, cabarets, pit orchestras, and songwriting. They have written songs for Highland Park Players' Theatre for Young Audience shows, including a complete original score to A Fairytale Adventure in 2016. They are currently working on their first adaptation - writing a book and score to Marvin Hamlisch's children's book Marvin Makes Music. Justin, Aaron, and Michael each have extensive musical training and experience, and the JAM Orchestra is a epitome of their vision: friendship, collaboration, and commitment to musical integrity and excellence.

"I think people can expect to have a very unique and fun evening. We have prepared an eclectic mix of classical, pop, and jazz to appease any musical appetite. I think some people associate the word 'orchestra' with a stuffy, potentially boring experience. In fact, the orchestra is what fuels many of our favorite movies, videogames, and musicals. The opportunity to hear a big band, 1950's era holiday tunes, and a lush orchestra playing Silvestri's Polar Express Suite all in the same evening, using the same multifaceted players, is like finding a unicorn here in Chicago," says co-founder and drummer Justin Kono. "We encourage our audience to not hold back until the final chord has dissipated. Please, cheer, laugh, express yourself. This will be more than a concert, it will be an experience, and the first of many to come."

Visit the JAM Orchestra online at www.jamorchestra.org

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.