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, October 13, 2024 | 2pm
First Unitarian Church (536 Linton Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219)
John Fedchock: The Slide Advantage
Grammy Award-nominated NYC jazz trombonist John Fedchock explores music from the Great American Songbook sharing unique adaptations tailored to his instrument. John is internationally respected as a trombone virtuoso and big band arranger who was music director for the Woody Herman Orchestra for many years. Join us to welcome this native of Cleveland and an Ohio State University graduate back to the Buckeye state!
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A complimentary wine and cheese intermission is included with your ticket.
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Series Sponsor: Al Harris
Thursday, October 17, 2024 | 7pm
The Redmoor (3187 Linwood Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208)
Big Band | The Divine One: Mandy Gaines Sings Sarah Vaughan
The CCJO big band series kicks off with a tribute to “The Divine One”, the Grammy Award-winning vocalist and National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Sarah Vaughan. Her blend of a once-in-a-generation voice with superb taste and technique have solidified her place as one of the top jazz vocalists of all time. CCJO fan-favorite Mandy Gaines takes the stage once again to breathe life back into some of Sarah Vaughan’s biggest hits, including material from her collaborations with Count Basie, Benny Carter, Frank Foster and more.
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Doors open at 6pm for dinner service.
Saturday, November 16, 2024 | 2pm
First Unitarian Church (536 Linton Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219)
Jazz@First | Alan Barnes Octet: From Jelly Roll to Miles
Leading U.K. alto saxophonist Alan Barnes returns to the Queen City and the Jazz@First stage. Performing with an eight-piece ensemble, Alan will lead a concert featuring his “small big band” arrangements spanning the history of jazz before electronic instruments. Always delightfully funny, this European powerhouse instrumentalist will treat guests to an afternoon of feel-good fun.
A complimentary wine and cheese intermission is included with your ticket.
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Series Sponsor: Al Harris
Thursday, November 21, 2024 | 7pm
The Redmoor (3187 Linwood Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208)
Big Band | Good Vibes Only: Vibraphonist Rusty Burge
Fewer sounds evoke the Jazz ethos more than that of the vibraphone! Hometown musical hero Rusty Burge takes The Redmoor stage in a celebration of this beautiful instrument and its role in the history of jazz. Hear works made famous by Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson, Victor Feldman, Terry Gibbs, Gary Burton, Steps Ahead’s Mike Mainieri, and more.
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Doors open at 6pm for dinner service.
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 | 7pm
Thursday, December 12, 2024 | 7pm
The Redmoor (3187 Linwood Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208)
Big Band | Jingle Jazz: The Nutcracker Remix
Celebrate the holiday season with the CCJO at our popular annual Jingle Jazz performance 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 this year’s main feature, the Nutcracker Remix, as well as holiday hits featuring the incredible Mandy Gaines as she sings tunes from “Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas.” Ring in the holiday season with the CCJO!
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Doors open at 6pm for dinner service. Join the band and board - wear your ugliest Christmas sweater!
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Subscribers can choose either show.
Sunday, December 15, 2024 | 2pm
First Unitarian Church (536 Linton Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219)
Jazz@First | White Christmas
Join the Phil DeGreg Trio, trumpeter Hank Mautner and vocalist Kelly MacKenzie-Thurley as they pay tribute to the many Jewish composers who wrote some of our most iconic holiday and Christmas songs. Enjoy new arrangements of familiar holiday classics, including the iconic Irving Berlin hit “White Christmas,” which is the most-recorded Christmas song and the best-selling single of all-time.
A complimentary wine and cheese intermission is included with your ticket.
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Series Sponsor: Al Harris
Sunday, February 2, 2025 | 2pm
First Unitarian Church (536 Linton Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219)
Jazz@First | Inner Visions: The Music of Stevie Wonder Reimagined
Saxophonist Steve Hoskins joins the Phil DeGreg Trio to perform fresh jazz arrangements of songs by Stevie Wonder, one of the greatest pop songwriters of the latter 20th century. A 25-time Grammy Award winner, Wonder’s melodies and harmonies are pure genius, full of color and soul.
A complimentary wine and cheese intermission is included with your ticket.
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Series Sponsor: Al Harris
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Wednesday, February 5, 2025 | 7pm
Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 7pm
The Redmoor (3187 Linwood Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208)
Big Band | CCJO Meets Chicago, featuring Walfredo Reyes Jr.
Prepare to experience the music of the legendary band Chicago as you’ve never heard it before! In the late 1960s, Chicago Transit Authority exploded onto the music scene with an incredible sound that blended rock, funk, and, of course, jazz. Decades and numerous hits later, the group continues to be an important part of American popular culture. Joined by current Chicago drummer (just the third drummer in the band’s history!) and an absolute living legend in his own right, Walfredo Reyes Jr., CCJO will put its very own spin on classics like “Saturday in the Park,” “25 or 6 to 4” and “Beginnings.” This show is guaranteed to make you smile!
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Doors open at 6pm for dinner service.
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Subscribers can choose either show.
Sunday, March 2, 2025 | 2pm
First Unitarian Church (536 Linton Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219)
Jazz@First | Jammin' with Jamey: NEA Jazz Master
Louisville-based alto saxophonist, publisher and master jazz educator Jamey Aebersold is internationally recognized for his Play-A-Long jazz recordings, a learning resource that has touched virtually every jazz musician in the last 60 years. A 2014 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master for Jazz Advocacy, Jamey is also a skilled and widely respected jazz alto saxophonist. Come hear this legend of jazz take the stage with the Jamey Aebersold Quartet.
A complimentary wine and cheese intermission is included with your ticket.
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Series Sponsor: Al Harris
Saturday, March 8, 2025 | 7:30pm
Fitton Center for Creative Arts' Ballroom (101 S Monument Ave, Hamilton, OH 45011)
Fitton Center | Singin’ & Swingin’
Special event hosted by Fitton Center!
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The Fitton Center partners with the electrifying Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra to produce a sensational new night of toe-tapping tunes. Eric Lechliter and his magic trumpet lead a five-piece band, while the terrific trio of Mandy Gaines, Dixie Karas and Kelly MacKenzie-Thurley provide the powerhouse vocals and capture the crisp harmonies that create goosebumps all around the Ballroom. We can guarantee one thing - the joint will be jumpin’.
Sponsors: Joan Fatika and Janet Fatika
Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 7pm
The Redmoor (3187 Linwood Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208)
Big Band | Spotlight on Cincinnati: The Melodious Marc Fields
CCJO is thrilled to put the spotlight on one of its charter members - the legendary Marc Fields! Cincinnati jazz fans know that the name Marc Fields is synonymous with taste, class, elegance and swing. In a career spanning early work with Ray Charles to a decades-long tenure teaching jazz trombone at the renowned University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Marc has rightfully earned his status as a local legend. This concert will explore highlights from his career and feature some of his original compositions, arranged by members of the ensemble.
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Doors open at 6pm for dinner service.
Sunday, April 6, 2025 | 2pm
First Unitarian Church (536 Linton Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219)
Jazz@First | Maiden Voyage: Herbie Hancock in the Early Years
The CCJO jazz quintet performs the classic acoustic piano-based compositions of one of the most influential modern jazz pianists, Herbie Hancock. Hancock became famous with Miles Davis and was part of Davis’s crossover to electronic jazz fusion. He also penned some of the most memorable jazz standard compositions for the Blue Note record label, including Hancock’s personal favorite, “Maiden Voyage,” which became the opening track of his 1999 Grammy Hall of Fame Award album of the same name.
A complimentary wine and cheese intermission is included with your ticket.
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Series Sponsor: Al Harris
Thursday, April 24, 2025 | 7pm
The Redmoor (3187 Linwood Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208)
Big Band | Buddy, Maynard & Beyond: The Music of Matt Harris
Buddy Rich. Maynard Ferguson. The Rolling Stones. Stevie Wonder. What do all of these artists have in common? Much of their music was arranged and interpreted by writer and pianist extraordinaire Matt Harris! After learning the musical ropes growing up in the Cincinnati jazz scene, Matt went on to play piano and write arrangements for Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson and more before settling in Los Angeles for decades as an in-demand player, educator and writer. CCJO welcomes him back to Cincinnati for a celebration of his storied and eclectic career.
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Doors open at 6pm for dinner service.