In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, the Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) steps out for A Night at the Apollo, April 13-17 at the historic Southern Theatre. Under the direction of Artistic Director Byron Stripling, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and Broadway actress/vocalist Marva Hicks celebrate music greats like Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Gladys Knight, James Brown, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and many others whose careers were launched by this legendary finishing school!
The world famous Apollo Theater is so much more than a historic landmark –
it is a source of pride and a symbol of brilliance of American artistic
accomplishment. With its rich history and continued significance, the Apollo
Theater, considered the bastion of African-American culture and achievement,
is one of the most fascinating chronicles in American history.
Born in Petersburg, Virginia, Marva Hicks first started her early career as
a gospel singer. After a short stint with the group Eighties Ladies, Marva
appeared on Broadway in Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music for nearly three
years. During a tour in London, Marva met Stevie Wonder. She began touring
with him during the mid-80s and sang background vocals on his album,
Characters. She then signed with Polydor in the late ’80s and released her
debut album, Marva Hicks, in 1991, with the R&B hits “I Got You Where I
Want” and “Never Been in Love Before.”
As an actress, she has had several guest spots on the television shows Star
Trek: Voyager, Sister, Sister, Mad About You, and played Jacara Principal
for the 1997-1998 season of One Life to Live, as well as acting in several
major Broadway plays. Her credits include Staggerlee, A…My Name Is Alice,
One Mo’ Time, Sing Mahalia Sing, Twist and Bubbling Brown Sugar. Recently
she’s focused much more on her singing talents again, and was one of Michael
Jackson’s back-up singers in his last world tour.
Single tickets are available through the CAPA Ticket Office for $49 (main
floor), $46 (first balcony) and $41 (second balcony). Tickets are available
by phone at 614-469-0939 and through all Ticketmaster outlets. For more
information call 614-294-5200 or visit www.jazzartsgroup.org
Under the direction of Todd Stoll, the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra (CYJO)
is pleased to perform prior to each Swingin’ at the Southern Sunday matinee
concert. Comprised of premier players in grades 9-12 from central Ohio and
beyond, the CYJO provides opportunities for talented high school age
musicians to further their experience in America’s classical music – jazz.
Admission to the CYJO performance at 1 PM is included with each 2 PM Sunday
matinee ticket purchase.
The Swingin’ at the Southern music series is presented by the Jazz Arts
Group with ongoing support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the
Ohio Arts Council, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the Columbus
Foundation, and the Westin Columbus. A Night at the Apollo is sponsored by
Plante & Moran with media support from The Columbus Dispatch.