You Should Hear Us Now! CJO’s 2017-2018 Season VANESSA RUBIN SINGS! November 9 (BLU Jazz+) and 10 (Gartner Auditorium, The Cleveland Museum of Art) International recording star and Cleveland native Vanessa Rubin pays a centennial tribute to a remarkable quartet born in 1917-Cleveland’s own Tadd Dameron, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and Ella Fitzgerald. In honor of the first jazz recordings that were also made that year, we’ll offer some big band Dixieland as well. PEANUTS MEET THE GRINCH! Featuring Russ Mitchell and Evelyn Wright December 8 (BLU Jazz+) and 9 (Hanna Theatre, Playhouse Square) WKYC’s Russ Mitchell narrates “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and Louis Armstrong’s last recording, “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” along with swinging versions of the perennial favorite “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” CJO vocalist Evelyn Wright is incredibly versatile and always commands the room when she joins us. Bring the whole family for our annual Christmas shows! GERSHWIN IN HOLLYWOOD, featuring Vince Mastro and Treva Offut January 27 (Hanna Theatre, Playhouse Square) and 28 (Temple-Tifereth Israel) Continuing our rich annual collaboration with The Musical Theater Project, the CJO joins forces with the TMTP for a loving and informative tribute to George and Ira Gershwin, focusing on their final years in Hollywood. Co-hosted by Bill Rudman and Paul Ferguson. LOVE IN CLEVELAND, featuring Helen Welch and Ernie Krivda February 8 (BLU Jazz+) and 9 (Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square) The best date night in Cleveland! Premiere singer/entertainer Helen Welch joins the CJO in an evening of loves songs, from Rodgers and Hart to the Beatles! Ernie’s energy and creativity have captivated NEO audiences for decades, and Helen is a consummate performer, loved by her audiences for her voice and for her charismatic stage presence. CARIBBEAN MUSIC EXPLOSION, featuring Dan Wilson, guitar May 11 (BLU Jazz+) and 12 (Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square) Akron native Dan Wilson is one of the great talents rising in Jazz today-his treatments of AfroCub----a--n, Samba and Bossa Nova are not to be missed! Currently performing with organist Joey DeFrancesco, catch this rising star on our annual Latin music show. For more information, please visit us at: clevelandjazz.org. Tickets for our shows can be purchased at: playhousesquare.org, or at: blujazzakron.eom 26