Racine & Me: Jean’s Jazz 25th Season with Racine Theatre Guild
RACINE, WI (CBS 58) -- Joycelyn Fish from the Racine Theatre Guild joined us in studio to promote the Jean's Jazz 25th Season.
January 4, 2025: Amy Maack & Septetasaurus
February 8, 2025: The Lenard Simpson Quartet
March 15, 2025: The Extra Crispy Brass Band
April 19, 2025: An Evening With Janet Planet
Season Line-up: Kicking Off A Season Celebrating 25 Years Of The Jean’s Jazz Series On Saturday, January 4, 2025, Amy Maack And Septetasaurus Will Once Again Grace The Stage With Live Music At The Racine Theatre Guild, 2519 Northwestern Ave., Racine. Amy Maack Creates Powerful Interpretations Of The Great American Songbook. Performing With A Trio Of Seasoned Veterans Of The Jazz Scene, Her Gospel-infused R&b Voice Will Bring To Life The Stories And History Of Popular Music. This Intimate Performance Promises To Hark Back To The Heyday Of Jazz Clubs On 52nd Street In New York City In The ‘40s And ‘50s. On The Second Half Of The Show, Septetasaurus, Seven Venerable Giants Of The Local Music Scene, Draw You In With New Compositions And Classic Jazz Arrangements Penned By Douglas Clum. This Group
Began As A Vehicle To Try Out Ideas Doug Was Writing For Local School Jazz Ensembles, But It Took On A Life Of Its Own And Has Since Developed An Extensive Book, With Each Tune Providing A Framework For These Great Players To Improvise; Creating A Mood, An Emotion, A Whole World To Get Lost In. In 2001, Joe Mooney Created The Jean’s Jazz Series In Memory Of His Wife, Jean, Who Passed Away From Ovarian Cancer. Since Then, Over 23,000 People Have Attended Our Concerts, Grossing Over $130,000 To Benefit The Racine Theatre Guild. Jean’s Love Of The Theatre Guild And Her Love Of Jazz Inspired A Series That Has Truly Enriched The Community. Twenty-five Years Of Memories And Music Come Together For Jean’s Jazz In 2025. Throughout The Years, The Concerts Have Become So Much More Than Just A Celebration Of Jazz As We Have Recorded Live Albums, Welcomed Emerging Artists, Offered Student Instruction, And Remembered Jean, Whose Spirit Has Lived On. “each Of Our Acts Was Selected To Represent The Journey That Jean’s Jazz Has Gone Through Over The Past Two And Half Decades And What The Future Holds,” Mooney Shared. “when The Series First Began, I Remember Telling Everyone That The Fact That This Series Is A Benefit For The Racine Theatre Guild Would Make Jean Smile. The Pride She Would Have Felt For Seeing How It Has Grown And Become So Beloved Makes Me So Incredibly Honored To Carry On The Jazz Tradition Year After Year.” Season Tickets Are Available Through January 4, 2025 For All Four Dates At $70 For Adults, $60 For Seniors (62 And Older), And $20 For Students (21 And Under). Individual Tickets Can Also Be Purchased At $20 For Adults, $18 For Seniors, And $5 For Students. Call (262) 633-4218, Visit Www.racinetheatre.org, Or Stop By The Box Office Weekdays From 12 To 6 P.m. For Tickets And More Information. Jean’s Jazz Is Made Possible Through The Support Of Educators Credit Union, Doubletree By Hilton Of Racine, Landmark Title, Maresh-meredith And Acklam Funeral Home, And Pruitt Zabkowicz S.c. Save The Dates For The Rest Of The Jean’s Jazz Series: Saturday, February 8, 2025 At 7 P.m. The Lenard Simpson Quartet “lenard Simpson Is An Extraordinary Young Voice On The Saxophone. His Playing Is Displayed By A Profound Soulfulness Combined With A Sparkling Intelligence And Curiosity.” – Billy Childs Lenard Simpson Is A Saxophonist, Composer And Educator From Milwaukee. He Was Mostly Self-taught Through High School, But His Natural Ability And Musicianship Earned Him Accolades Such As Membership In The Esteemed Grammy Camp Jazz Session, And An Outstanding Soloist Award At The Mingus Jazz Competition In New York City. Lenard Has Had The Opportunity To Play And Travel With Artists Such As Pianist And Composer-billy Childs, Kurt Elling, Marquis Hill, And Clayton Cameron. Lenard Received A B.m In Jazz Performance At Northern Illinois University. While Studying At Niu, Lenard Was Awarded First Place In Chicago’s Esteemed Luminarts Jazz Competition. Saturday, March 15, 2025 At 7 P.m. The Extra Crispy Brass Band The Extra Crispy Brass Band Plays New Orleans-style Brass Band Music Inspired By The Great Contemporary Bands Such As The Dirty Dozen, Hot Eight, Rebirth, And New Birth Brass Bands As Well As Traditional Outfits Such As The Olympia And Mahogany Brass Bands. The Ec Brass Band’s Repertoire
Includes Pieces From The Turn Of Last Century, Traditionals By Louis Armstrong And Sidney Bechet, Modern Funk Tunes, And Originals. They Have Performed At The Uptowner In Riverwest, Bastille Days, Turner Hall Ballroom/radio 88.9, Burnhearts Fest, And Cathedral Square/wmse Backyard Bbq, State Fair, And Numerous Festivals Around The State. Saturday, April 19, 2025 At 7 P.m. An Evening With Janet Planet In 2001, Janet Planet Performed In The First Ever Jean’s Jazz Concert At The Racine Theatre Guild. Now, Janet Planet Is A Dynamic Force In The Realm Of Sound, Mesmerizing Listeners With Her Remarkable Talent. As A Prolific Recording Artist, Janet Has Over 25 Albums In Her Discography. On Stage, Janet Exudes An Evident Mastery Of Her Instrument, Resulting In A Personal And Meaningful Experience For Her Audiences. She Is A Six-time Wami Award Winner And The Second Woman To Be Inducted Into The Wami Hall Of Fame. Janet Not Only Possesses An Extraordinary Vocal Instrument But Also The Unique Ability To Breathe Life And Deeply Resonant Emotion Into Lyrics. Listen And Be Transported Into The Very Soul Of Each Composition.