Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra performs an evening of gospel music at the Hylton Performing Arts Center

Northern Virginia’s own Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra presents an evening of blues-drenched jazz with a gospel twist at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 8 p.m. Titled “The Gospel Truth,” this performance is sure to have audiences of all ages clapping and swaying along to the soulful rhythms of this popular ensemble. 

Bobby Floyd, renowned jazz pianist and master of the Hammond B-3 organ, will join the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra for this performance. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Floyd was first discovered when he was just 2 years old. His musical talents have enabled him to travel extensively in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan. He has performed with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, the Columbus Symphony and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, and with musical legends, including Dionne Warwick, Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval and Faye Robinson. He has recorded three albums and is in the process of producing his fourth album of a live recording from Spain. Floyd maintains an active recording schedule with his own trio, featuring Columbus-based artists Derek DiCenzo on bass and lead guitar and Reggie Jackson on drums.

The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra performs under the baton of director Jim Carroll, whose illustrious career includes performances at Carnegie Hall, the White House, the Kennedy Center, Royal Albert Hall and the Apollo Theatre. A versatile performer, Carroll has performed with Michael Jackson, Nancy Wilson, Maynard Ferguson, Billy Taylor, Woody Herman and His Thundering Herd, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and many others. Carroll is also an active educator, currently serving as the director of Jazz Studies at George Mason University.

A pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, begins 45 minutes prior to the performance in the Hylton Center’s Buchanan Partners Art Gallery. Prince William Health System is the 2012-2013 Hylton Presents Season Sponsor.

Tickets for Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra’s performance of “The Gospel Truth” are $28, $36 and $44. This performance is Family Friendly: tickets for youth through grade 12 are half price when accompanied by an adult. To purchase tickets, visit the box office (open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or visit HyltonCenter.org. The Hylton Performing Arts Center is located on George Mason University’s Prince William Campus at 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, Va., 20110. FREE parking is available in the lot next to the Hylton Center.

For more information about the Hylton Performing Arts Center, please visit HyltonCenter.org. Like the Hylton Center on Facebook at Facebook.com/HyltonCenter and follow on Twitter at @Hylton_PAC.

This blog post was written Amanda Rodriguez, with assistance from Jill Graziano Laiacona.