About our upcoming season finale

Duke Ellington hailed his three sacred concerts as “the most important thing I’ve ever done or am ever likely to do.”

In five years the IJO has done a great deal.  We’ve performed no less than 12 Ottawa/Canadian premieres of great works including Miles Ahead, Sketches of Spain, Ellington’s Liberian Suite, Such Sweet Thunder, Far East Suite and the list goes on.

For me personally, the opportunity to perform music from Ellington’s sacred concerts will top all of these by far.  Words are not enough to express what this music means.  It’s also important for me to say that if you rule out attending this concert simply because it is “sacred music” then you’re really missing out a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience something special.

As many of you know, I am a big fan of collaboration and the IJO has collaborated extensively over the years.  This promises to be our most fruitful collaboration to date.  Fifty artists on stage - all local except for one guest artist from Toronto.  I don’t need to wax lyrical about the orchestra but something needs to be said about our guest artists.

The Capital Vox jazz choir features many of Ottawa’s best jazz vocalists.  They not only sound great but they know how to swing, groove and perform.  This music will really give them something to sink their teeth into with elements of gospel, jazz and classical music in four, five and six-part harmony.

Marcus Nance has one helluva of a voice.  Some of you may remember that he performed with us back in 2006.  He had a great time performing with us and it’s great to have him back.  He’ll have a starring role in this show singing bass and baritone parts and narrating.

Doreen Taylor-Claxton.  What can I say?  I love her voice, her spirit and her fantastic attitude to performing and collaborating.  She’s got it all and the idea of her and Marcus singing together - WOW!  Doreen will sing the parts made famous by Swedish soprano, Alice Babs.  Hint:  We are planning a show with Doreen for next season.

Elise Letourneau.  Elise will not only be directing the choir but singing a few solo pieces as well.  She’s acknowledged as one of the best jazz vocalists and when you hear her scat on “David Danced” you’ll know why.

Melissa Roy.  Yes it’s true, there is one number in this concert that requires tap dancing.  Only Ellington could have come up with the idea of tap dancing for “David Danced Before the Lord.”  To be honest I have no idea what Melissa will do but I know it will be great.

Don’t miss this concert.  To be honest, this is a guaranteed money-loser for the IJO.  No one can put 50 professional artists up on stage for $25/ticket and not lose money.  We’re not only doing that but selling student tickets at $15 and we have a special offer for each adult to bring along up to three high-school students for free.  I’m almost beyond caring about whether we lose money (disclaimer: my wife and I are covering any losses the IJO incurs) but I do care a great deal about sharing this amazing music with others.

So… Please come out and join us and bring everyone else you can drag along.  You’ll hear live music that you’re unlikely to ever hear again in Ottawa and you’ll be supporting some great Ottawa artists.

For those that have expressed some concerns about the sound quality in Dominion-Chalmers, this music is ideally suited to the church’s acoustics.  Additionally we’ll have pro audio man Brad Summerfield on hand to ensure that it all sounds great.

Cheers

Adrian