JazzMN Orchestra's 20th Anniversary Celebration and Season Finale this April

The acclaimed JazzMN Orchestra will hold its final concert of the season on April 8th, 2019 on Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' Main Stage. The concert marks its season finale, also marking JazzMN's 20th anniversary celebration event.

JazzMN's inaugural concert was held in April 1999 on the eve of Duke Ellington's 100th birthday at the Fitzgerald Theater, with guest artist Buddy DeFranco and guest vocalist Bruce Henry. Now, twenty years later, the April 8th, 2019 anniversary concert will spotlight acclaimed LA saxophonist Bob Sheppard and vocalist Cameron Kinghorn (more info on artists at the end of this release.) Led by Artistic Director Doug Snapp, the program will feature audience favorites from JazzMN performances of the past 20 years (determined through patron surveys).

Terry Jaffoni, Board Vice President stated, "JazzMN is one of a mere handful of professional and world-class jazz orchestras remaining in the United States today. We are incredibly fortunate to have access to this premier jazz ensemble, which adds to the rich fabric of music and cultural offerings that people have access to in the Twin Cities."

The 20th Anniversary Celebration also marks an important new beginning for the organization as well. Following a comprehensive strategic planning process with the support of a Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) grant, JazzMN's Board of Directors instituted a new mission and vision for JazzMN: to cultivate the love of jazz by delivering a relevant, meaningful and vibrant jazz experience that is attractive to a wide variety of audiences. Also noteworthy is the announcement that JazzMN's founder and dedicated leader, Dr. Douglas Snapp, will step down as JazzMN's Artistic Director.

JazzMN was founded in 1998 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Since that time, JazzMN has followed its mission to promote, preserve, and perpetuate America's indigenous art music: jazz. Following the model of the classical orchestra, JazzMN has performed at a high level of musicianship, featuring the best of local professional jazz musicians and world-class guest artists. Each season, JazzMN performs a broad range of jazz repertoire spanning classic and contemporary styles, including works in Swing, Fusion, R&B, Latin, Rock, and even Rap genres. This effort to program works from Classic to Contemporary ties with JazzMN's efforts to present jazz as an American art form that crosses age and race barriers.

Like the format of orchestras in the "big band" era, JazzMN concerts often feature band members as soloists, providing them with the opportunity to hone their skills and perform a wide variety of repertoire that highlights the fire, precision, and beauty of a jazz orchestra. Additionally, concerts often feature original compositions and arrangements by JazzMN musicians as well as by guest artists.

Over its two decades, JazzMN has presented more than 70 season concerts (3-4 per year), with dozens of additional performances, many of them free, at jazz and arts festivals around the metro area (i.e. Twin Cities Jazz Fest). JazzMN's guest artists have included highly esteemed performers from a wide variety of backgrounds including Wycliffe Gordon, Arturo Sandoval, Bob Mintzer, Nicholas Payton, Gordon Goodwin, Rob McConnell, Paquito D'Rivera, Phil Woods, James Moody, Dave Weckl, and Minnesota native Maria Schneider. Over the years, the JazzMN Orchestra has performed at many prominent venues across the metro including the Ordway, Orchestra Hall, Ted Mann, Fitzgerald and State theaters. This year, its entire season has been performed on the Main Stage at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, which has proved to be an excellent fit for both organizations.

One of JazzMN's missions is educational outreach. Activities in this area have included the annual Winter Jazz Blast, clinics and master classes at area schools and colleges conducted by JazzMN musicians and guest artists, as well as performances by the full orchestra at school jazz festivals and events-often students' first exposure to a professional jazz orchestra. Outreach activities allow local school students opportunities to learn from and play alongside JazzMN musicians. Young musicians have been highly inspired by these experiences; some citing JazzMN's concerts as one of the things that most influenced their decisions to go into music as a career.

Special Guests for April 8 Anniversary Concert Include:

Guest Headliner
BOB SHEPPARD is a household name for saxophonists worldwide. You may not have heard of Bob Sheppard, but you've certainly heard his work as he's done it all from live performances and studio recordings to scores for motion pictures and television programs too numerous to list. Bob's world-class resume includes work with many, many musical legends including Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Elvis Costello, Don Henley, Natalie Cole, and Stevie Wonder. Sheppard splits his time between Los Angeles and New York, working with the finest musicians on both coasts.

Guest Vocalist
CAMERON KINGHORN is the front man and lead vocalist for the R & B group NOOKY JONES. Known his remarkable showmanship, Kinghorn's performances are spellbinding and feature a unique multi-genre style. Influenced by soul artists including Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu and Prince, audiences flock to enjoy Kinghorn's song-stylings. Last year he appeared with Nooky Jones in a string of wildly-successful, sold-out concerts at The Dakota. He performs with many other artists, appearing last year at Coachella, the annual Soulful Soiree, and in The New Standards Annual Holiday Show at the State Theater.

Tickets are on sale now for JazzMN's 20th Anniversary Concert on the Main Stage at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. This event is very popular; reservations are highly recommended. Tickets may be purchased for the concert only ($35). To enjoy dinner, add $15. Call the box office at 952-934-1525 or order online at ChanhassenDT.com

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