“We want to guarantee the future of live music in our community,” says the mission statement of the Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra. “Music plays such a significant role in developing creative, intelligent minds and strengthening communities.”
The popular local band will continue fulfilling these goals with its April 22 concert — which honors the music of jazz legend Edward “Duke” Ellington.
Featuring guest artist Todd Stoll of Jazz at Lincoln Center, the show is slated for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Lycoming College’s Trachte Music Center.
A friend and colleague of renowned trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, Stoll was a longtime Ohio educator whose Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra released six CDs and won a DownBeat Award.
Since 2011, he has been Vice President of Education for Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, where he initiated the online education site Jazz Academy; this offers a readily accessible library of lessons taught by such masters as Eric Reed, Helen Sung, Gary Bartz, and Azar Lawrence.
Stoll also works with Lincoln Center’s program called Jazz for Young People on Tour.
An in-demand conductor, musician, clinician, and lecturer, he has made appearances in China, Cuba, and the United Kingdom.
“This opportunity was born at a lunch meeting in New York over a year ago,” says WCJO Vice President Walt Straiton. “Todd is one of the nation’s foremost authorities on the music of Duke Ellington, in addition to being a fine trumpet artist in his own right.”
Indeed, during Saturday’s show, Stoll will be a featured soloist in the Ellington tune “Concerto for Cootie.” With an emphasis on many of the Duke’s lesser-known compositions, the program also includes “Perdido,” “Happy Go Lucky,” “Bonga,” “Ko Ko,” “Harlem Airshaft,” and “St. Louis Blues,” along with such vocal pieces as “I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So,” “I Didn’t Know About You” and “I Ain’t Got Nothin’ but the Blues.”
During his visit to Central PA, Stoll will conduct a workshop with the Lycoming College Jazz Band, which will open Saturday’s concert; the Lycoming ensemble will then later join WCJO onstage for its final number in the setlist.
“We’re honored that Todd was able to fit this into his schedule during the month of April,” Straiton adds. “Ironically, that’s ‘Jazz Appreciation Month,’ as coined by the Smithsonian Institute in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz — truly American’s original art form!”
“The WCJO is a non-profit big band with 18 members, including a singer,” explains Executive Director Vivian Severn. Current instrumentation includes four trumpets, four trombones, and five saxes — plus keys, bass, and drums, along with vocalist Suezie Cioffi. Musicians include Dale Orris, Tim Breon, Dick Adams, Eddie Severn, and Lycoming College Band & Orchestra Director Bill Ciabattari — as well as WCJO Board President and co-founder Bobby Leidhecker on percussion.
The ensemble usually performs at least four concerts a year, with an annual holiday show in December and — as with the 4/22 show — an April gig with a featured guest artist who also does master classes with area students.
Along with the April and December gigs, WCJO gives at least two free concerts each summer: one for the “Williamsport Welcomes the World” celebration in conjunction with the annual Little League World Series; and the other at Brandon Park Bandshell — although, due to renovations, this year’s bandshell show will be held at Indian Park in Montoursville on Saturday, August 19. Williamsport Welcomes the World is set for Friday, August 23, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. downtown.
“In addition to the concerts,” Severn adds, “the WCJO musicians do jazz education clinics throughout the year. The WCJO has partnered with The Stonehouse and presents Jazz Night there every Thursday, featuring members of the orchestra as well as other area jazz musicians.”
“Since its inception in 2011,” adds Straiton, “WCJO’s mission has been to encourage budding musicians through student outreach in Lycoming County.” Concerning such students, the group’s stated mission is to “facilitate a greater opportunity for them to experience, perform and understand the art of jazz, improvisation, musicianship as well as the broader implications of working in a professional environment.”
Available only at the door, tickets for Saturday’s show are $20. All students will be admitted free with an ID. The concert is sponsored by Brenda and Marlin Cromley.
