Bolingbrook Jazz Band to Join Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra in Concert

Submitted by Valley View School District 365U

Bolingbrook High School students and the VVSD community in general will have a unique opportunity to listen to, and learn from, The Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra on Saturday, April 16.

The visit by alumni from the world famous Stan Kenton Orchestra is designed to both promote jazz education and to carry on Stan Kenton’s tradition of dedication to creative music. The Legacy Orchestra performs at festivals, clinics, concerts, cruises and dances throughout the country.

Bolingbrook High School students will be treated to an afternoon of clinics conducted by Legacy Orchestra members followed by an 8 p.m. concert in the Claar Family Auditorium at BHS featuring the Bolingbrook High School Jazz Band and the Legacy Orchestra.

The Legacy Orchestra performs some of the well-known music of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, plus in keeping with Stan’s insistence on not just performing nostalgia type music, also performs new material written in the Kenton style.

Leader Mike Vax, a product of Oakland Public Schools, has led a big band off and on for over 45 years. A few of his credits include being first trumpet, soloist and road manager of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, as well as being co-leader while Mr. Kenton was recovering from surgery; leading the Dukes of Dixieland in New Orleans; producing and/or music directing for over 40 jazz festivals; and performing workshops for more than 2500 high schools, colleges and universities all over the world.

The concert is open to the general public. Tickets, at $20 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens, are available at www.showtix4u.com. All seating is general admission.