History of Jazz Concert for Young People
The concert is free, and while it has been designed with young people in mind, as part of the Orchestra’s educational outreach program, it is open to the entire community, and will appeal to all ages.
In the tradition of Leonard Bernstein’s Young Peoples’ Concerts and Wynton Marsalis’ Tanglewood Concerts, the orchestra will re-create the history and evolution of jazz from its beginnings in the Louisiana Delta region, follow its migration north to Chicago and Kansas City, and the journey to the East Coast and West Coast, with detours along the way to Cuba and Brazil, to contemporary creative big band music.
The concert will also feature three selections from the high school’s band, which will also join in performance with HJO.
Formed in 1999, Heartland Jazz Orchestra is dedicated to preserving and furthering the classical music of America, Jazz. Its concerts feature some of the finest musicians in Central Illinois who join with eclectic regional, national, and international artists to create a wide variety of musical experiences.
Heartland Jazz Orchestra is an auditioned 20-piece, traditionally-orchestrated big band and is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization whose mission includes furthering jazz education to young musicians by conducting workshops and concerts featuring young musicians. The world-renowned David Hoffman has performed with many top U.S and international bands, including Ray Charles, as Ray’s trumpet/flugelhorn soloist and composer/arranger for many years. Mr. Hoffman also has a distinguished career as a solo performer, educator, and arranger/composer.
These concerts are made possible through a Mirza Arts and Culture grant from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation. The Foundation encourages and facilitates philanthropy in McLean, Livingston, DeWitt, and Logan counties by connecting donors who care with causes that matter to them.