CGOA presents The Giants of Jazz

Ask a music lover who the most famous performer currently is, and you’ll no doubt hear names like Taylor Swift, Beyonce or Ariana Grande. It wasn’t too long ago, however, when musicians such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker and Louis Armstrong weren’t just chart toppers, but household names. For over 50 years, jazz was the most popular genre of music in America. The CGOA Jazz Collective Big Band pays tribute to some of these “giants of jazz” in a pair of upcoming concerts.

Focusing on some of the most tuneful and accessible jazz possible, Jazz Collective director Michael Paul will feature such composers and arrangers as Sammy Nestico, Hoagy Charmichal, Woody Herman and Horace Silver. Even the most casual jazz fan has heard of songs like Georgia On My Mind or A Taste of Honey, just a few of the program’s featured arrangements.

The CGOA Jazz Collective Big Band was founded in 2015 by conductor Mark Steighner, who turned over direction to lead trumpet player Michael Paul in 2021. The Jazz Collective is made up of music educators, professional musicians and dedicated local amateurs.

Opening for the Jazz Collective will be two local high school jazz bands. The Hood River Valley High School jazz ensemble opens the show on Friday, April 19 and The Dalles High School jazz band kicks off the program on Sunday afternoon. The directors of both groups perform with the Jazz Collective.

The Giants of Jazz concerts are Friday, April 19 at 7 PM, and Sunday, April 21 at 2 PM. The performances are onstage at Hood River Valley High’s Bowe Theatre, 1220 Indian Creek Rd. Tickets are available through gorgeorchestra.org. Adults $25, CGOA members $15, students free. (College and high school students must show their student ID at the door.)

As an extra incentive, CGOA has specially priced tickets for anyone who has never attended any CGOA performance. Called “First Time for $5,” the low-cost tickets are available at the door only. 

The Giants of Jazz kicks off a series of upcoming performances including concerts by the Voci Community Choir on April 26/28, Bat Boy the Musical from May 3-18 and Our American Home by the Gorge Sinfonietta on June 14, 15 and 16.

The Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and presenting musical performances of the highest quality in the Columbia River Gorge region. With a commitment to artistic excellence and education, the Association brings the joy of music to audiences of all ages.