January, 2001:  PRESS RELEASE

Celebrating its 25^th Anniversary Season, the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra proudly announces its third concert of the 2000-2001 season with a program entitled Learning From The Master, featuring trombonist Benny Powell, a former member of the Count Basie Orchestra.  Also featured will be the 2001 Young Lions All-Star Big Band.

The concert will be held at the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra’s new home, the Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13^th Street, Lincoln, on Thursday, January 25th at 7:30 p.m.  Priority seating for season ticket members only starts at 7:00-7:15, and general admission seating begins at 7:15 for tickets purchased at the door.

General admission tickets may be purchased at the concert or ordered in advance by contacting the business office at Arts Incorporated, (402) 477-8446, 216 North 11th Street, Suite 202 in Lincoln, NE, 68508-1401. Tickets purchased at the door are:  $7 for students, $12 for senior citizens, and $15 for adults.

Guest Artist Benny Powell is one of the most versatile trombonists and jazz lecturers on the contemporary music scene.  Powell was a member of Lionel Hampton’s big band and gained national attention during his twelve years with Count Basie.  He has worked in orchestras for numerous Broadway shows and was one of the first jazz musicians to perform regularly on television, as a member of the Merv Griffin Show band.  Powell can be heard on countless recordings with the likes of Count Basie, the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Benny Carter, the Heath Brothers, and Randy Weston, among many others, as well as his own CDs.

This concert will also feature the 2001 Young Lions All-Star Big Band.  This All-Star band is comprised of young jazz musicians from the state of Nebraska who were selected through an audition process.  During this concert Benny will be performing with both the Young Lions All-Star Big Band and the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra.  This is one concert you will not want to miss!

This concert is made possible in part with the support of the Berman Music Foundation.

Some of the selections The Nebraska Jazz Orchestra will be featuring include: “Work Song” arranged by Geoff Keezer, “Airegin” arranged by Bill Holman, and  “Stella by Starlight” arranged by Dave Wolpe.  The Young Lions All-Star Big Band will perform several selections including “Perdido” arranged by Rayburn Wright, “Four” arranged by Mark Taylor, and  “Front Burner” by Sammy Nestico. Benny Powell will also be bringing some special arrangements for the band to play.

For more information, please call the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra business office at Arts Incorporated, (402) 477-8446.  Email us at njo@artsincorporated.org, or visit our website at www.artsincorporated.org/njo.