The Ben Clark Jazz Quintet featuring Lincoln-Way High School Orchestra Director Stacy Williams-Jackson on bass will perform the final concert in Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s summer series at Ravisloe Country Club in Homewood.
But before the quintet takes the stage at 7 p.m. Wednesday, guests will have a chance to hear from members of the next generation of musicians. Students of piano teacher Kristin Izenbart will perform at 6:15 p.m.
Student performers will include
- Ruby Melendez
- Allison and Nathan VandenBosch
- Carmella and Lilia Abramczyk
- Joshua Cain
- Anika Izenbart
- Lydia and Kyle Derks
- Alex Cordero
They are all students of the Simply Music method, which helps students of all ages play classical, contemporary, accompaniments and blues pieces, according to Izenbart.
“At the concert we will be showcasing our blues repertoire, which includes pieces with the boogie bass, walking bass, a jazz ballad, 12-bar blues, as well as improvising on the blues scale,” she said. “Accompanying us will be local saxophonist Chris Denman. The students who are performing Wednesday have taken as few as 18 lessons and as many as 144.”
Following the student concert, the Ben Clark Jazz Quintet will entice the audience to hum along to favorite jazz standards by Ira and George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern and more.
In addition to Williams-Jackson, the quintet includes leader and trumpeter Ben Clark (jazz director at Lincoln-Way East) and guitarist Nate Jackson (guitar teacher and auditorium coordinator at Lincoln-Way Central).
This concert will be held outside in the beautiful Ravisloe courtyard, weather permitting, and in the Great Hall if not.
IPO will be holding a raffle for VIP Parking for the 2015-16 Season at Lincoln-Way North. Tickets are $20 each and the winner will be drawn at the Prelude Dinner on Oct. 17. Winner need not be present.
To buy concert tickets, click here or call 708-481-7774. Ravisloe Country Club is located at 18231 Park Avenue, Homewood.
Dinner and drink specials are on the menu in Ravisloe’s restaurant, The Bunker Bar & Grill, prior to the concert. Reservations are requested by calling 708-798-5600.
