Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra to perform annual holiday concert twice
The Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra will present its popular annual “Holiday Jazz Concert” twice, according to a press release. The first performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 in the Trachte Music Center at Lycoming College. The second will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts,104 Main Street, Wellsboro.
The concert will include big band holiday favorites, including: Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra’s “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” Gordon Goodwin’s “The Little Drummer Boy,” the Overture from Shorty Roger’s “Swingin’ Nutcracker,” Trombonist Kevin Henry’s “Jazzige Nacht,” “O Holy Night” with Eddie Severn on trumpet, and Ella Fitzgerald arrangements of holiday jazz classics featuring vocalist Suezie Cioffi. The Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra was founded in 2011 to showcase the Williamsport area’s talented jazz musicians, artists, teachers, and performers. Members include alumni of the Glenn Miller Big Band, the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, the Buddy Rich Band, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and many other famous jazz bands.
The 18 members of the Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra are: Rhythm section — Tim Breon (guitar), Matt Radspinner (bass), Steve Adams (piano) and Bobby Leidhecker (drums); Trumpet section — Eddie Severn, Dale Orris, Jeff Smith and Doug LeBlanc; Saxophone section — Larry Fisher, Adam` Wright, Dick Adams, Diana Bailey and Laura Garside; Trombone section –` Kevin Henry, Becky Ciabattari, Mike Damiani and Bill Ciabattari; and Vocals — Suezie Cioffi.
The orchestra plays an exciting variety of big band tunes, from the popular and familiar to obscure and new. Performances on both Dec. 20 in Williamsport and Dec. 21 in Wellsboro are sure to appeal to all.
Tickets for the Trachte Music Center concert in Williamsport on Dec. 20 are available at the door only. Those with student IDs are admitted free.
The Deane Center concert in Wellsboro on Dec. 21 is BYOB with audience members encouraged to reserve a table, bring their own favorite beverages and snacks and sit with family and friends to enjoy the music. There will be room for dancing. For tickets, visit www.deanecenter.com or call 570-724-6220.
For more information about the orchestra, visit its Facebook page or email wmsptcityjazz@gmail.com.