A Special Offer for Des Moines Symphony VIPs who have never attended a Turner Center Jazz Orchestra performance
If you have never attended one of our concerts at the Turner Jazz Center on the campus of Drake University, we'd like to offer you one of two special offers:
- Two-for-one admission to any concert in our regular season (not including 12/21 and 2/14)
- Special introductory rate for Season Tickets - only $150
Call 515-360-3023 to secure your place in our audience!
Our 2023-2024 Season
All concerts 7:30pm at the Turner Jazz Center, 25th and Forest Avenue
Thurs. September 28 Basie Straight Ahead
Featuring the swingin’est music ever written
From 1935 until his death, pianist and bandleader Count Basie led one of the most important jazz institutions of the 20th century, and in the process forged a distinctive sound that changed the jazz landscape for all time. By merging the sounds of his musical upbringing in Harlem and Kansas City, he developed a unique brand of swinging blues that made audiences around the world want to dance.
From 1935 until his death, pianist and bandleader Count Basie led one of the most important jazz institutions of the 20th century, and in the process forged a distinctive sound that changed the jazz landscape for all time. By merging the sounds of his musical upbringing in Harlem and Kansas City, he developed a unique brand of swinging blues that made audiences around the world want to dance.
Thurs. November 2 Sweet Suites
Featuring suites written for jazz orchestra
As in classical music, jazz composers sometimes find their fullest expression by developing a series of pieces into a suite. Usually related by style, theme or tonalities, these collections are a rich departure from the usual six- to eight-minute jazz tunes. We’ll be performing TCJO Director Andy Classen’s Waveland Suite, Ted Nash’s Eight Variations on Freedom and others.
As in classical music, jazz composers sometimes find their fullest expression by developing a series of pieces into a suite. Usually related by style, theme or tonalities, these collections are a rich departure from the usual six- to eight-minute jazz tunes. We’ll be performing TCJO Director Andy Classen’s Waveland Suite, Ted Nash’s Eight Variations on Freedom and others.
Thurs. December 21 All That Holiday Jazz!
Featuring Marcya Daneille
Marcya Daneille is a classically trained, soul inspired, cross-genre, jazz artist. Marcya studied voice performance at Roosevelt University, the University of Iowa and London’s Guildhall School of Music and Dramatic Arts. She began singing professionally when she was 15 and has performed extensively in Chicago, New York and London. Her recent CD Keeping It Simple was produced by renowned jazz trombonist, Wycliffe Gordon.
Marcya Daneille is a classically trained, soul inspired, cross-genre, jazz artist. Marcya studied voice performance at Roosevelt University, the University of Iowa and London’s Guildhall School of Music and Dramatic Arts. She began singing professionally when she was 15 and has performed extensively in Chicago, New York and London. Her recent CD Keeping It Simple was produced by renowned jazz trombonist, Wycliffe Gordon.
Wed. February 14 Jazz for Lovers and Friends
Featuring Rosana Eckert
Rosana Eckert has earned an international reputation in the music industry as a versatile live and studio vocalist, dynamic improviser, and a creative songwriter and arranger. Rosana has performed and recorded with Christian McBride, Bobby McFerrin, Kenny Wheeler, Marvin Stamm, the New York Voices and more. Recently she was one of three vocalists on the Grammy Award-winning composition Eberhard, released posthumously by legendary jazz pianist Lyle Mays.
Rosana Eckert has earned an international reputation in the music industry as a versatile live and studio vocalist, dynamic improviser, and a creative songwriter and arranger. Rosana has performed and recorded with Christian McBride, Bobby McFerrin, Kenny Wheeler, Marvin Stamm, the New York Voices and more. Recently she was one of three vocalists on the Grammy Award-winning composition Eberhard, released posthumously by legendary jazz pianist Lyle Mays.
Thurs. March 28 Trumpet Love
Featuring Vern Sielert
Trumpet virtuoso, Vern Sielert, has performed with groups as diverse as the Bob Curnow Big Band, the Lionel Hampton Big Band, the Illinois Symphony and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. His compositions and arrangements have been performed by the Count Basie Orchestra, the US Army Jazz Ambassadors and others. He’s a member of the Unhinged Sextet, whose CD Don’t Blink was named one of the best jazz releases of 2017 by All About Jazz.
Trumpet virtuoso, Vern Sielert, has performed with groups as diverse as the Bob Curnow Big Band, the Lionel Hampton Big Band, the Illinois Symphony and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. His compositions and arrangements have been performed by the Count Basie Orchestra, the US Army Jazz Ambassadors and others. He’s a member of the Unhinged Sextet, whose CD Don’t Blink was named one of the best jazz releases of 2017 by All About Jazz.
Thurs. April 25 Rhapsody In Blue - 100 years
Featuring the Paul Whiteman original arrangement
On this 100th anniversary of its composition, we’ll be celebrating George Gershwin’s most memorable creation by presenting Paul Whiteman’s original arrangement of Rhapsody In Blue, the version most of America first heard on the radio. Culturally, it’s a touchstone of the Jazz Age, and it made Gershwin’s name a household word worldwide. Along with this masterpiece, we’ll be bringing you other Gershwin works adapted for jazz orchestra that will paint a picture of this remarkable composer.
On this 100th anniversary of its composition, we’ll be celebrating George Gershwin’s most memorable creation by presenting Paul Whiteman’s original arrangement of Rhapsody In Blue, the version most of America first heard on the radio. Culturally, it’s a touchstone of the Jazz Age, and it made Gershwin’s name a household word worldwide. Along with this masterpiece, we’ll be bringing you other Gershwin works adapted for jazz orchestra that will paint a picture of this remarkable composer.