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CJO with Duane Lawrence - Thunderous 17-piece big band!

Jazz at Pearl's
San Francisco, CA

Good God, these guys can play! And they know every chart known to man. SF Examiner
Few musical experiences compare to the sound of a contemporary jazz big band. The full thrust of sound generated by multiple brass, saxophones and a swinging rhythm section is certainly a thrill to any listener, especially when heard live.

The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra is a 16-piece jazz ensemble, featuring some of the finest musicians in the Bay Area. In the long-standing Monday night tradition of the Village Vanguard Orchestra in New York City, the CJO has been playing Monday nights at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco for over ten years.

The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra was started in 1995 by Detroit tenor saxophonist Christopher Pitts, who originally fronted this group of elite players. Featuring the music of Thad Jones, Oliver Nelson, Frank Foster, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus and other great composers, the band quickly established itself as one of the premier Big Bands in the Bay Area and the only one to play exciting hard bop for a listening audience every single week. In April of 2000, Pitts relocated to Boston, leaving the orchestra in the hands of saxophonist Alex Budman, who led the band until its current director Thomas "Tod" Dickow took over this summer.

The CJO will be joined tonight by singer Duane Lawrence. Lawurence is a native San Franciscan and a superb vocalist whose made singing with big bands one of the mainstays of his glowing career. He's performed frequently with the CJO, and has often been heard fronting another trio of dynamic ensembles, the Full Faith & Credit Big Band, the John Capobianco Orchestra and the Full Spectrum Jazz Orchestra.

But Lawrence is not only a big band specialist. Reminiscent of some of the great male jazz vocalists of the past, his smooth baritone voice and soulful and energetic style have earned him a large and enthusiastic fan base throughout the Bay Area. In fact, Lawrence packed Harry Denton's Starlight Room at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel for over 500 performances in just over two years. And he's worked with some of the finest musicians, including Mark Levine, Larry Vuckovich, Ron Stallings, Jeff Chambers and Allen Smith.

Note: TICKET TIERS FOR THIS SHOW Show Ticket: Sold in advance online and by phone. Includes guaranteed seating AND show ticket for our first or second show for arrival before curtain. 2 beverage minimum. Cash only. ATM on premises. VIP Ticket: Sold in advance online and by phone. Includes tickets to both shows, front of line access, instant seating, chilled bottle of champagne waiting at your table (included in price), reserved VIP table for both shows (stay at your table), CD of act with autograph. No beverage minimum.

Kid Friendly: No

Dog Friendly: No

Non-Smoking: No

Wheelchair Accessible: No

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