West Coast Cool Jazz Comes to Bethel UCC

Bethel United Church of Christ will present Jeff Hedberg & C11 on Saturday, October 8th at 7 p.m., as part of its Music@Bethel Concert Series. The critically acclaimed 12-piece jazz ensemble promises an evening of swinging rhythms and jazz interpretations of the Great American Songbook, including “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” “Lulu’s Back in Town,” “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top” and more.

Formed in April 2008, the group performs mostly historical arrangements in the West Coast cool jazz style. Grammy winning jazz critic Neil Tesser noted “….they re-create, with fidelity and precision, selections from several albums that the jazz genius Mel Tormé recorded in the mid-50s...”

In fact Hedberg—a Chicago-based jazz vocalist, flugelhorn/trumpet player—is often compared to a younger Mel Tormé. With his smooth tenor voice, he swings, scats and caresses the lyrics of the great jazz tunes with fidelity and sincerity twice his years.

Hedberg’s group, C11, features many of the top soloists, section players and freelance artists who are also part of the Chicago music scene. In addition to Hedberg, musicians include (but are not limited to) Rich Moore, Ian McGarrie, Ted Hogarth, Lisa Taylor, Steve Duncan, Rich Armandi, Joe Lill, Nick Drozdoff, Ken Spurr, Joe Policastro and Darren Scorza.

Since 1999, the Music@Bethel Concert Series has hosted some of the world’s most accomplished singers and musicians from Chicago and beyond. The October 8th Jazz at Bethel concert will take place in the church’s spacious Welcome Center, situated with tables for 8, comfortable seating and a candlelit atmosphere.

A wine reception will follow the concert. Bethel United Church of Christ is located at 315 East St. Charles Road in Elmhurst. Tickets, available online through www.musicatbethel.com or by calling 630-279-4040, are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $5 for students. The church is accessible and parking is free. Enter at the Sandburg Middle School entrance from St. Charles Road, or from Huntington off Poplar Street.