Don’t miss our biggest show ever!

Mark your calendars for April 16, 2009! The IJO’s spectacular 2008-2009 season finale promises to be the orchestra’s biggest, most exciting and most challenging concert ever. Bringing together 35 jazz and symphony musicians, the IJO will present Ottawa premieres of three amazing masterpieces showcasing the talents of two great composers and a diverse set of musical styles.

Seattle-based composer, Richard Peaslee is as comfortable writing in the styles of jazz as he is classical and anything else in between. Nightsongs, was composed in 1973 for a recital at Carnegie Hall by trumpeter Harold Lieberman. The IJO’s performance will feature Ottawa trumpeter, Rick Rangno, accompanied by an ensemble of strings and harp featuring some of Ottawa’s finest string players. Nightsongs is a beautiful, haunting piece of music that clearly demonstrates the depth of Peaslee’s phenomenal writing.

Chicago Concerto, composed by Peaslee in 1967, is a four-movement baritone saxophone concerto commissioned by jazz bandleader and Kenton alumni, Bill Russo, for the great baritone saxophonist, Gerry Mulligan. It’s nothing less than a total romp featuring burning improvised solo sections, imaginative use of the blues form, more odd-meter bars than you could imagine (7/8, 5/8, 4/8, 6/8, 9/8, 11/8, 10/8, 12/8 left, right and centre), and challenging ensemble writing. What’s more astounding is the way in which it all flows together. The IJO’s performance will feature Ottawa saxophonist, Mike Tremblay and a 22-piece ensemble featuring the big band plus cello quartet instrumentation that was used by Russo’s London Jazz Orchestra.

The closer for the evening will be a performance of the Far East Suite, composed by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn in 1966, after the Ellington orchestra’s tour of the Middle East region. This nine-movement tour de force features some of Ellington’s grooviest themes and conjures up the sights, sounds and smells of the Middle and Far East.

As a special bonus, the IJO will announce its 2009-2010 season and present a preview of each of the concerts. Two tidbits for now: Yes we’re moving to a wonderful new venue and yes, next season’s finale is even bigger than this one’s!

Masterpieces: Ellington + Peaslee will be presented at Dominion-Chalmers United Church on April 16, 2009. The concert begins at 8 PM with doors opening at 7:30 PM. Tickets are just $25 for adults and $15 for university students. They can be purchased online at TicketWeb (click on the TicketWeb link from the IJO website) or in person at Compact Music in the Glebe or CD Warehouse on St. Laurent Boulevard, Clyde Avenue or at the Signature Centre in Kanata.

As a special offer, for any adult with a paid ticket, we will admit for free, up to three accompanying elementary or high-school students.

We hope you’ll join us for this special evening of great music.