ACA receive grants for summer concerts; Reunion Jazz Orchestra to perform July 6

The Addison Center for the Arts (ACA) has announced that the organization has received four grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency’s “Arts Tour Music Live” program. The Arts Tour Music Live provides support to eligible Illinois not-for-profit organizations who present Illinois performing artists, companies or groups for performances.

These grants partially fund the five free Tuesday evening concerts ACA plans for its 2021 concert season which include:

Tuesday, July 6

Reunion Jazz Orchestra

Tuesday, July 13

The Limited Edition Big Band

Tuesday, July 20

Blue Buddha Band

Tuesday, July 27

Felix Pham Trio

Tuesday, Aug. 10

ROKKOR

The Reunion Jazz Orchestra will perform on Tuesday, July 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Gazebo on the Addison Village Green, One Friendship Plaza. For more information, please call 630-458-4500.

More about Reunion Jazz Orchestra

There are many “Big Bands” out there, but none quite like the Reunion Jazz Orchestra. All members of the RJO share an interesting background in that each member is a “Son of Notre Dame.” Members are either from Notre Dame College Prep in Niles, Ill., or from Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Out of this creative environment have come many famous and award-winning musicians, such as:

Jim Pankow (Chicago), Grammy nominated composer and pianist Jim McNeely (Vanguard Jazz Orchestra), Dick Sisto, and a long list of Chicago music scene stalwarts including Joe Sonnefeldt (Poi Dog Pondering), Larry Lecover (Rhythm City), Dan DeLorenzo, John Kornegay, Bob Sutter, Dave Creighton, and Mark Madsen.

The Reunion Jazz Orchestra has among its ranks doctors and architects, information technology professionals, music educators, executives and entrepreneurs. The band has as authentic a swing as you’ll find anywhere, but it also plays ballads, progressive, Latin, and some powerful big band rock.

The Reunion Jazz Orchestra has performed at Navy Pier Winter Wonderfest, Addison Days, Niles Family Funfest, Arlington Heights Unplugged, Cantigny Park Labor Day Festival, Mount Prospect Summer Veterans Bandshell Concerts, Art in the Barn, Good Shepherd Hospital Benefit Banquet, Collegiate Jazz Festival, Oak Street Beachstro, Del Webb Sun City, Glen View Club, Windsor Manor, and a variety of other benefits, dinners, and parties in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. In addition to their many single appearances, the RJO has reigned as the “house band” at the Sphinx Cafe in Niles, and Papa’s Pub in Roselle.

The RJO is a volunteer alumni organization of Notre Dame College Prep (www.nddons.org). All the money raised from performances and the sale of CDs is donated to Notre Dame College Prep for the support and enhancement of the music program. As a result of their efforts, and the support of fans and friends, the Reunion Jazz Orchestra has established a scholarship program at Notre Dame College Prep for students of the music department.