JAZZ 100: THE MUSIC OF DIZZY, ELLA, MONGO AND MONK
2017 marks the centennial celebration for four visionary icons of music all born in the same glorious year: Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Mongo Santamaria and Thelonious Monk. Jazz 100 showcases both the dynamic individual artistry of each icon and the powerful unifying threads between them which helped shape and inform not only the evolution of jazz but modern music as we now recognize it. Musical Director and former Gillespie pianist Danilo Pérez carefully assembled a world class ensemble of virtuosos, bandleaders and composers in their own right including Chris Potter (saxophone, woodwinds), Avishai Cohen (trumpet), Wycliffe Gordon (trombone, vocals – North America), Lizz Wright (vocals – North America), Roman Diaz (percussion, vocals), Ben Street (bass) and Adam Cruz (drums) to reflect and pay homage to some of our history’s most important and timeless musical voices.  The tour just wrapped up with sold out shows in Madison, Chicago, Des Moines and Kansas City.