Dinner and Jazz on tap at annual event

Enjoy an outdoor barbeque topped off with the sounds of jazz at the 43rd annual Harper College's Dinner and Jazz Concert, an outdoor tradition featuring a buffet and a performance by the Ken Spurr Jazz Quartet. Following a buffet that includes chicken, pasta, corn on the cob, salads, watermelon and cookies, pianist Spurr – the Director of Jazz Studies at Harper – will take the stage with the rest of his group to perform a variety of standard and contemporary jazz selections by Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and more.

“We try to pick pieces that are both fun to play and listen to, particularly in an outdoor setting,” said Spurr, whose band has played the Dinner and Jazz concert for the last eight years. “I also like to pick music that showcases the special talents of our guest performers.” This year’s special guest performers will be Harper alumni Jalen Little and Rob Nordli.

The Harper Jazz Lab Band, directed and conducted by Spurr, will also perform at the concert. The event will start with dinner at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, outside the Student Center (Building A) on the College's main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine.

Tickets are $7 for general admission and $3 for children; kids six and under are admitted free. In case of rain, the event will be held inside Building A.

For more information or to order tickets, contact the Box Office at 847.925.6100 or visitharpercollege.edu/boxoffice.