SCHEDULE
The Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra’s performance homes are at The Redmoor for our Big Band Series in Mt. Lookout as well as the First Unitarian Church in Avondale for our Jazz@First Chamber Jazz Series. The CCJO has previously performed at various venues around Greater Cincinnati, including: Next Chapter, The Greenwich, The Monastery, York Street Cafe, Blue Wisp Jazz Club, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Memorial Hall, Corinthian Baptist Church and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. The Orchestra and our musicians also perform at various educational, orchestral, jazz and festival events across the Tri-State.
To learn more about the CCJO’s past performances, please visit our archives.
Sunday, March 2, 2025 | 2pm
First Unitarian Church (536 Linton Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219)
Jazz@First | Jammin' with Jamey: NEA Jazz Master
NEA Jazz Master Jamey Aebersold is a world-renowned alto saxophonist, celebrated for his exceptional musicianship and profound influence on jazz education. A 2014 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Award for Jazz Advocacy, Jamey is widely respected for his skillful and expressive playing. Don’t miss this legend of jazz as he takes the stage with the Jamey Aebersold Quartet, performing classics like "Summertime," "Misty, "The Girl from Ipanema," "It Had to Be You," "Now’s the Time," "Groovin’ High" and "Unforgettable." Beyond his mastery as a performer, Jamey is also a groundbreaking educator, publisher, and the creator of the iconic "Play-A-Long" jazz recordings, a learning resource that has shaped generations of jazz musicians over the last 60 years.
A complimentary wine and cheese intermission is included with your ticket.
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Series Sponsor: Al Harris
Saturday, March 8, 2025 | 7:30pm
Fitton Center for Creative Arts' Ballroom (101 S Monument Ave, Hamilton, OH 45011)
Fitton Center | Singin’ & Swingin’
Special event hosted by Fitton Center!
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The Fitton Center partners with the electrifying Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra to produce a sensational new night of toe-tapping tunes. Eric Lechliter and his magic trumpet lead a five-piece band, while the terrific trio of Mandy Gaines, Dixie Karas and Kelly MacKenzie-Thurley provide the powerhouse vocals and capture the crisp harmonies that create goosebumps all around the Ballroom. We can guarantee one thing - the joint will be jumpin’.
Sponsors: Joan Fatika and Janet Fatika
Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 7pm
The Redmoor (3187 Linwood Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208)
Big Band | Spotlight on Cincinnati: The Melodious Marc Fields
CCJO is thrilled to put the spotlight on one of its charter members - the legendary Marc Fields! Cincinnati jazz fans know that the name Marc Fields is synonymous with taste, class, elegance and swing. In a career spanning early work with Ray Charles to a decades-long tenure teaching jazz trombone at the renowned University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Marc has rightfully earned his status as a local legend. This concert will explore highlights from his career and feature some of his original compositions, arranged by members of the ensemble.
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Doors open at 6pm for dinner service.
Sunday, April 6, 2025 | 2pm
First Unitarian Church (536 Linton Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219)
Jazz@First | Maiden Voyage: Herbie Hancock in the Early Years
The CCJO jazz quintet performs the classic acoustic piano-based compositions of one of the most influential modern jazz pianists, Herbie Hancock. Hancock became famous with Miles Davis and was part of Davis’s crossover to electronic jazz fusion. He also penned some of the most memorable jazz standard compositions for the Blue Note record label, including Hancock’s personal favorite, “Maiden Voyage,” which became the opening track of his 1999 Grammy Hall of Fame Award album of the same name.
A complimentary wine and cheese intermission is included with your ticket.
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Series Sponsor: Al Harris
Thursday, April 24, 2025 | 7pm
The Redmoor (3187 Linwood Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208)
Big Band | Buddy, Maynard & Beyond: The Music of Matt Harris
Buddy Rich. Maynard Ferguson. The Rolling Stones. Stevie Wonder. What do all of these artists have in common? Much of their music was arranged and interpreted by writer and pianist extraordinaire Matt Harris! After learning the musical ropes growing up in the Cincinnati jazz scene, Matt went on to play piano and write arrangements for Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson and more before settling in Los Angeles for decades as an in-demand player, educator and writer. CCJO welcomes him back to Cincinnati for a celebration of his storied and eclectic career.
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Doors open at 6pm for dinner service.