SCHEDULE
The Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra’s performance homes are at The Redmoor for our Big Band Series in Mt. Lookout as well as the First Unitarian Church in Avondale for our Jazz@First Chamber Jazz Series. The CCJO has previously performed at various venues around Greater Cincinnati, including: Next Chapter, The Greenwich, The Monastery, York Street Cafe, Blue Wisp Jazz Club, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Memorial Hall, Corinthian Baptist Church and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. The Orchestra and our musicians also perform at various educational, orchestral, jazz and festival events across the Tri-State.
To learn more about the CCJO’s past performances, please visit our archives.
Sunday, December 10, 2023 | 2pm {Advance tickets are SOLD OUT; limited walk-up tickets available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.}
First Unitarian Church (536 Linton Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219)
Jazz@First | Charlie Brown Christmas
Join us for an afternoon of “GOOD GRIEF” as we explore the music of Charlie Brown! It’s hard to think of Christmas without the joyful, swinging and heartfelt soundtrack of the TV special that has become part of America’s holiday tradition: “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The Phil DeGreg Trio, along with tenor saxophonist Dan Drees, will revisit the iconic Vince Guaraldi classic and sprinkle in some other Christmas favorites. This show will be kid-friendly, a perfect afternoon to introduce the young people in your life to jazz and improvisation. Bring the whole family to enjoy an afternoon of holiday cheer!
Complimentary wine and cheese intermission included with your ticket.
Series Sponsor: Al Harris
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 | 7pm {Bonus show!} {Limited tickets remain!}
Thursday, December 14, 2023 | 7pm {Part of the subscription} SOLD OUT
The Redmoor (3187 Linwood Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208)
Big Band | Jingle Jazz
Celebrate the season with the CCJO at our popular annual concert Jingle Jazz featuring swinging remixes of your favorite holiday classics, many of which were written by members of the Orchestra. Enjoy a variety of Christmas music from some of our most popular programs including Nutcracker Remix and “Christmas Time is Here,” and hear the incredible vocals of Mandy Gaines as she sings tunes from “Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas.” Ring in the holiday season with the CCJO!
Doors open at 6pm for dinner service. Join the band and board - wear your ugliest Christmas sweater!
Subscribers: Thursday night show included with your subscription.
Sunday, February 4, 2024 | 2pm
First Unitarian Church (536 Linton Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219)
Jazz@First | Mardi Gras Party featuring Queen City Vintage Vibe
CCJO is breaking out the beads and king cake because it’s time to party! Jazz@First is bringing the celebration to life through a program fit for Bourbon Street. Hear music that will have you swingin’ in your seat from New Orleans marches to the music of Jelly Roll Morton to some of your Mardi Gras favorites like “The Saints Go Marching In!” And trust us, you’ll want to be in that number at First Unitarian Church for the most enjoyable Fat Tuesday event of the year.
Complimentary wine and cheese intermission included with your ticket.
Series Sponsor: Al Harris
Thursday, February 15, 2024 | 7pm
The Redmoor (3187 Linwood Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208)
Big Band | A Tribute to Wayne Shorter featuring Rick VanMatre
Enigmatic saxophonist Wayne Shorter firmly engraved his own likeness into the Mount Rushmore of Jazz’s greatest composers. After an incredible 60+ year career where he played with bands from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers to Weather Report, we lost one of the most important tenor saxophonists of his generation with Wayne’s passing in 2023. Cincinnati’s tenor saxophone powerhouse Rick VanMatre takes the Redmoor stage with the CCJO big band to pay tribute to this grandmaster who left us with beautiful tunes like “Infant Eyes,” “Black Nile,” “Footprints” and more.
Doors open at 6pm for dinner service.
Sunday, March 10, 2024 | 2pm
First Unitarian Church (536 Linton Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219)
Jazz@First | Cecilia: The Music of Paul Simon
From Simon & Garfunkel to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, singer-songwriter and musician Paul Simon is one of the most acclaimed musicians in popular music. Saxophonist and flutist Steve Hoskins joins the Phil DeGreg Trio to bring Paul’s intricate melodies to life in a jazz setting. Hear new interpretations of some of his most popular hits like "So Long Frank Lloyd Wright", “America,” "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover," "Still Crazy After All These Years” and “Cecilia."
Complimentary wine and cheese intermission included with your ticket.
Series Sponsor: Al Harris
Thursday, March 21, 2024 | 7pm
The Redmoor (3187 Linwood Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208)
Big Band | Buddy, Woody + Maynard: Big Band Legends of the ‘70s + ‘80s
Relive the sounds that delighted a generation! From popular bands’ acts such as Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, and Woody Herman who adapted to the times by infusing rock and fusion into their charts -- to relative newcomers such as Don Ellis, Rob McConnell, and Toshiko Akiyoshi who pushed the music forward - the 1970s and ‘80s were a rich and vibrant time for big band jazz. CCJO brings the spirit of the time back to life by performing some of these artists' most beloved works.
Doors open at 6pm for dinner service.
Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 7pm
The Redmoor (3187 Linwood Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208)
Big Band | The Look of Love: Mandy Gaines Sings Burt Bacharach
Few songwriters are more beloved than Burt Bacharach. A composer and lyricist of startling effectiveness, his music will continue to live on in the heart of American popular culture even after his passing in 2023. Joined by fan-favorite vocalist Mandy Gaines to pay tribute to this musical genius, CCJO wraps the big band series by putting their own touch on classics such as “A House is Not a Home, “Close to You” and “The Look of Love.”
Doors open at 6pm for dinner service.
Sunday, April 28, 2024 | 2pm
First Unitarian Church (536 Linton Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219)
Jazz@First | April in Paris featuring Valérie Agulhon Graschaire
You’ll have to say “Bon voyage” for the Jazz@First series finale! French vocalist Valérie Agulhon Graschaire will bring some pieces from home to perform alongside American classics with the Phil DeGreg Trio. With a voice that is lively, engaging and interactive, Valérie can just as easily sing a straightforward classic as scat with an astonishingly precise and swinging ease. Ooh la la!
Complimentary wine and cheese intermission included with your ticket.
Series Sponsor: Al Harris