Columbus, OH – The Jazz Arts Group’s PBJ & Jazz concert series returns to the Lincoln Theatre Complex on Saturday, February 13 for a special Valentine’s Day preview with Mark Flugge and Kelly Crum Delaveris.
Mark Flugge is well-known as a pianist, composer, educator, and bandleader in the central Ohio area and beyond. As a leader, Flugge has recorded three CDs: In Love, In Blue on solo piano; February’s Promise (jazz quintet original compositions) ; and Familiarity, which also features Gene Bertoncini and Michael Moore. The Mark Flugge Trio, with bassist Dave DeWitt and drummer Dave Weinstock, serve as the house rhythm section for the Chamber Jazz Series, and play every Friday night at the Hyde Park steakhouse, where they’ve been a fixture for 9 years. He frequently appears with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the Breckenridge (CO) Music Orchestra. Performance credits include work with such notables as David “Fathead” Newman, Jimmy Heath, Marcus Belgrave, Joe Lovano, and Jon Faddis, among many others. Flugge is also a jazz faculty member at The Ohio State University, the Capital University Conservatory of Music, and the Jazz Arts Group’s Jazz Academy.
Kelly Crum Delaveris has been a regular on the central Ohio music scene since she graduated from Upper Arlington High School. Her early music education came from her father’s record collection, containing Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Anita O’Day, and Carmen MacRae. An extraordinary singer, Kelly has performed with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and as the opening act for Tony Bennett, Joan Rivers, Sarah Vaughan and Buddy DeFranco. Kelly also performs regularly with her own group, Brasileira.
PBJ & Jazz concerts are 1-hour long interactive concerts designed to introduce jazz and American music to young children and their families. Featuring some of Columbus’ finest musicians and ensembles, PBJ & Jazz concerts are hosted by former Columbus Music Hall owner and retired music educator Rebecca Ogden and are a great introduction to live music for the youngest audience member.
“It has been so much fun over the years to work with great musicians playing real live jazz for kids and their families,” states Ogden. “Every concert is a treat. I am delighted that PBJ & Jazz has a life after the Columbus Music Hall in its new home at the Lincoln!”
The PBJ & Jazz season finale features Christian Howes in The Cats and the Fiddle on March 6. All concerts begin promptly at 11:00 a.m.
PBJ & Jazz concerts are $5 per person at the door with a family maximum of $20. Children receive a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, juice and a cookie. The 2009-10 concerts will be held in the ballroom in the Lincoln Theatre Complex, 769 E. Long Street, Columbus, OH 43203. Call 614-294-5200 or visit www.jazzartsgroup. org for more information.