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Columbus Jazz Orchestra Performs Side By Side Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra In Ragtime, Blues & Beyond Featuring Tia Fuller & Lewis Nash

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Columbus Jazz Orchestra
Columbus - The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) returns to the historic Southern Theatre to showcase over 100 years of toe-tapping jazz in “Ragtime, Blues & Beyond: A Short History of Jazz,” February 7 – 10. The Columbus Jazz Orchestra will perform side by side the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra in this tribute to the most beloved jazz masters including Scott Joplin, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and more! The incredible talent of accomplished saxophonist Tia Fuller (Beyoncé, Nancy Wilson Jazz Orchestra) and legendary drummer Lewis Nash (Betty Carter, Branford Marsalis) will guarantee a swingin’ spectacular that cannot be missed!

Under the direction of Mark Donavan, the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra (CYJO) provides opportunities for talented high school age musicians to further their experience in America’s classical music – jazz. Comprised of premier players in grades 9-12 from central Ohioand beyond, the CYJO has a 30-week season during the school year, and typically performs at the Southern Theatre prior to each of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s Sunday matinee concerts. The CYJO plays literature of the highest level with repertoire from the libraries of the great big bands, including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Oliver Nelson, Benny Goodman and Dizzy Gillespie.

Single tickets are on sale for $52 (main floor), $46 (first balcony) and $30 (second balcony) and available through the CAPA Ticket Office at 614-469-0939 and through all Ticketmaster outlets. Student tickets are available for $15 (over 18) and $10 (under 18) with valid ID at the door. For more information call 614-294-5200 or click here.

Audience members can also join Byron Stripling for a casual and engaging conversation with Lewis Nash and the wonderful guest artists of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra in a new workshop series at the JazzAcademy. “Offstage at the JazzAcademy” provides participants a behind-the-scenes glimpse from the artist perspective on performing with the CJO – adding new perspective to being an audience member. In addition to the opportunity to learn something new, each guest artist will be asked to share what they are currently listening to on their iPods or CD players, introducing audiences to new and exciting music and artists. “Offstage at the JazzAcademy” is free to CJO subscribers and $10 for general registrants. Pre-registration is requested and available by clicking here.

“Offstage at the JazzAcademy” 2013 season schedule:

Saturday, February 9, 2:00 pm – Lewis Nash
Saturday, March 16, 2:00 pm – Debbie Gravitte
Saturday, April 13, 2:00 pm – Dave Powers

The 40th anniversary season of the Jazz Arts Group is proudly presented by Grange Insurance. The Columbus Jazz Orchestra receives ongoing support from the Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council, and The Westin Columbus. Concert sponsorship for “Ragtime, Blues & Beyond: A Short History of Jazz” is provided by Plante Moran with media support from The Columbus Dispatch, Outlook Media, WOSU Public Media, and WMNI AM 920.

About Tia Fuller:

When Tia Fuller picks up her sax to play, something amazing happens as the notes and reverberations of her musical elixir fill the room. Suddenly, everything in the universe feels right and it’s easy to see and hear why this artist and teacher, who has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, (Magna Cum Laude) and Master’s degree in Jazz Pedagogy and Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder (Summa Cum Laude), was selected to be a member of the all-female band touring with R&B star, Beyoncé. As part of the I AM…Sasha Fierce and Beyoncé Experience World Tour promoting the superstar’s CDs, Tia has played in various venues throughout the US, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. She is a featured soloist on the Beyoncé Experience DVD (Me, Myself and I) and also appeared on number of major television shows, such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America, BET Awards, American Music Awards and Total Request Live.

An accomplished performer in her own right, Tia has recorded three CDs with her quartet – Pillar of Strength (2005/Wambui), Healing Space (2007/Mack Avenue), Decisive Steps (2010/Mack Avenue), Angelic Warrior (2012/Mack Avenue). Tia can also be seen performing regularly with a number of bands, including the Ralph Peterson Septet, the T.S. Monk Septet, the Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra, the Rufus Reid Septet, the Sean Jones Quintet, the Nancy Wilson Jazz Orchestra, and Wycliffe Gordon Septet.

The dynamic saxophonist has been featured in Jazz Improv Magazine, Rocky Mountain News, The Philadelphia Tribune, The Star Ledger, Downbeat Magazine and many other print and online publications. In addition to receiving numerous awards and marks of distinction, Tia was honored to be the keynote speaker at the Jazz Institute of New Jersey’s 2003 graduation ceremony, where she presented her “Journey to Success” speech. Tia believes her passion for teaching and inspiring students is in her genes because her parents were educators/administrators in the DenverPublic School District. As a devoted educator, she presents lectures and teaches ensembles and masterclasses at some of the most respected institutions in the country, including Stanford University’s “Jazz Workshop,” the University of Idaho’s Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, New Mexico State University, the IAJE Jazz Convention, Purchase College, WBGO’s “Children in Jazz” Series, Duquesne University and Panama Jazz Festival.

About Lewis Nash:

Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Lewis developed an early interest in music and began playing drums at age 10. By age 18, he was performing with local jazz groups. By the time he was 21, Nash had become the “first call” jazz drummer in Phoenix, working with Sonny Stitt, Art Pepper, Red Garland, Lee Konitz, Barney Kessell and Slide Hampton during their engagements in the city.

In 1981, Nash moved to New York City and joined the trio of the great jazz vocalist Betty Carter. For nearly four years, he toured internationally with Ms. Carter. He is featured on three of her recordings, including the Grammy Award-winning “Look What I Got.”

In the fall of 1986, saxophonist Branford Marsalis asked Lewis to join his quartet. That active association spanned two years and several continents, and is documented on Marsalis’ Grammy-nominated recording Random Abstract, as well as two videos: “Royal Garden Blues” (directed by Spike Lee) and “Branford Marsalis – Steep.”

From 1990 to 2000, Lewis was a member of the Tommy Flanagan Trio, and is featured on seven CD recordings with the late piano master. During this period, Nash also toured and recorded with both the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. His impressive discography (over 300 recordings) includes projects with jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Benny Carter, Hank Jones and John Lewis, as well as new jazz stars Diana Krall, Joe Lovano and Roy Hargrove. Demonstrating his stylistic diversity, Nash is also featured on recordings by Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, Nancy Wilson, Kenny Rankin, Melissa Manchester and George Michael.

Currently, while he continues to perform and record with a wide variety of artists, Nash leads several of his own exciting groups, from duo to septet. Outside of his many touring and recording accomplishments, Lewis has become a sought after jazz educator. His lectures, clinics and workshops are as much in demand as his bandstand and studio work.

About the Jazz Arts Group:

The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) is America’s oldest not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to producing, performing and promoting jazz. JAG is the third largest performing arts organization in Columbus and consists of four focus areas: the Columbus Jazz Orchestra (CJO), one of the world’s finest professional jazz orchestras; the Jazz Academy, JAG’s extensive instructional programs educating both students and adults about jazz and American music; Inside Track, a jazz and blues performance series produced at the historic Lincoln Theatre and beyond; and Affiliate Musicians, a program providing employment opportunities for professional musicians.

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