The Columbus Jazz Orchestra will perform JazZoo!, a four part outdoor concert series, starting July 15. The concert series will be performed at the Water’s Edge Events Park at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Concerts will be performed by the renowned 16-piece Columbus Jazz Orchestra along with special guest artists for each performance. The concerts will be led by Artistic Director and trumpet player Byron Stripling. JazZoo! is a collaboration between the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium with the Jazz Arts Group and is presented by Cardinal Health.
The series will be performed throughout July and August. The first concert in the series will be Bessie Smith, B.B. King & the Blues, a tribute to the two blues legends. The featured guest will be vocalist Miche Braden.
Miche Braden (pronounced “Mickey”) is a quadruple threat as a singer, songwriter, actress and director. She has starred in many musicals, including Broadway’s Movin’ Out, the Billy Joel musical. Braden is a founding member of Straight Ahead, an all-female jazz outfit. A frequent collaborator with saxophonist James Carter, she can be heard on his recordings “Gardenias for Lady Day” and “At the Crossroads."
A variety of ticket options are available for guests. Single tickets are available in advance for $30, or day-of tickets for $35. Subscribers to either the Columbus Jazz Orchestra or the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium may purchase advance tickets for $25, or day-of tickets for $30.
Those who wish to buy tickets to all four concerts in the series may do so for $109 per person. Table tickets are also available, seating up to eight people. These tickets cost $350 for a single night and $1,200 for all four. A catering option is available for those who buy tables of eight.
To purchase tickets, click here or call 614-724-3485.
Tickets include zoo admission along with the concert. Parking is $10 per car for all except Columbus Zoo and Aquarium members. Advance catering options are also available and food vendors are available onsite at the events.
JazZoo! begins Friday, July 15. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the concert starting at 8 p.m. The next concert will be A Hand Full of Keys: A Piano Extravaganza, featuring keyboardists Bobby Floyd, Dave Powers and Micah Thomas on Friday, July 22. The series will conclude with Big Band Classics on August 5 and Sounds of the 70’s on August 12.
Lindsey Capritta is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.