JAZZ@FIRST | HARMONIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Celebrate the magic of the season with a spectacular ensemble of ten vocalists from Northern Kentucky University performing timeless holiday songs in rich jazz arrangements. Led by Kelly MacKenzie-Thurley and backed by the always-exceptional Phil DeGreg Trio, the concert blends vocal precision with instrumental sparkle. From swinging standards to cozy ballads, this festive performance will capture the essence of the holidays — joyful, warm and full of harmony. Join us for the perfect way to brighten the season with friends and family!

 

A complimentary wine and cheese intermission is included with your ticket.

 

Jazz@First Series Sponsor: Al Harris

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Musicians

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NKU Vocal Jazz Ensemble, vocals

Aaron Jacobs, bass

Phil DeGreg, piano

John Taylor, drums
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About the Artist: NKU Vocal Jazz Ensemble, vocals

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The NKU Vocal Jazz Ensemble, directed by Kelly MacKenzie-Thurley, is an exciting group that has hosted and performed alongside the GRAMMY® Award-winning New York Voices. It is an auditioned ensemble comprised of both music and non-music majors. They are one of the elite ensembles at Northern Kentucky University.

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About the Artist: Phil DeGreg, piano

 

Phil DeGreg began playing the piano in his childhood and now performs as a jazz pianist internationally. His earliest jazz influences were Bud Powell and Bill Evans, but he is accomplished and comfortable in a wide range of jazz styles, ranging from mainstream to bebop to Brazilian jazz. A graduate of Yale and the University of North Texas, he toured with the Woody Herman Orchestra in the 1980s and has 10 CDs to his credit as a leader. For 13 years he accompanied many national and international jazz artists in the house trio in Cincinnati’s famous Blue Wisp Jazz Club. He has been on staff with the renowned Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops since 1983, and has performed and taught in Europe and South America.

 

Phil DeGreg is the retired Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and is the recipient of two National Endowment for the Arts study grants. In 2008 he was awarded a 4-month Fulbright Fellowship as a lecturer in Brazil.

 

His text “Jazz Keyboard Harmony” is a practical text for teaching jazz harmony for all musicians, and is used all over the world in universities and for private study.

 

Learn more about Phil DeGreg on his website phildegreg.com.