November 2008

Uptown Jazz Orchestra Premieres with Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite

My father Ellis and I recently began rehearsing with a new jazz orchestra consisting primarily of New Orleans musicians, called the Uptown Jazz Orchestra (UJO). A subsidiary of our non-profit Uptown Music Theatre, the premiere concert for UJO will feature a ballet version of Ellington's Nutcracker Suite and music from Wynton's classic Crescent City Christmas Card. New Orleans native Lula Elzy will provide the choreography along with the Lula Elzy Dance Troupe, for what promises to be a highly spirited and joyous occasion.

UJO features veterans Alonzo Bowens, Michael Pierce and Roger Lewis on saxes, Marlon Jordan, Jamil Sharif and Jamelle Williams on trumpet, Dwayne Paulin, Frank William s and myself on trombone, Victor Atkins on piano, Roland Guerin on bass, Herlin Riley and Jason Marsalis on drums. The sax section will also introduce two young-bloods Khris Royal and Stephen Gladney. It is the plan of UJO to always include 3 or 4 generations of New Orleans musicians, in order to both preserve and advance our great city's musical legacy.

On December 18 & 19, 2008, UJO will present three (3) concerts for Greater New Orleans students as part of Uptown Music Theatre's soft introduction to jazz for young hipsters, Swinging with the Cool School. The public perform ance will be 8:00 pm on Saturday, December 20, 2008 @ Loyola University's Roussell Hall.



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