Columbus, OH – The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) returns to the historic Southern Theatre to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in “Home for the Holidays," November 29 – December 2. Broadway vocal sensation Marva Hicks makes a special return engagement to Columbus for the annual holiday spectacular. Each year promises a special yuletide surprise, and this year is no exception!
Ms. Hicks has previously lit up the Broadway stage and captivated Columbus audiences for the CJO's “A Night at the Apollo" concert performances. Back by popular demand, she joins Artistic Director Byron Stripling for a sleigh ride of holiday favorites done CJO-style!
After appearing on Broadway in Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music for nearly three years, Ms. Hicks met Stevie Wonder and began touring with him. She then undertook singing background vocals on his 1987 album, Characters. As a gospel singer, Ms. Hicks is a featured vocalist on the Broadway Inspirational Voices Choir's Christmas CD, Great Joy. She has also toured the world with Whitney Houston, James Ingram, and Michael Jackson for the HIStory tour.
A favorite at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, the award-winning performing artist has worked on five productions including Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, starring Broadway legend Maurice Hines, for which she is nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, Thunder Knocking on the Door (Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress), The Women of Brewster Place, Crowns and Charles Randolph Wright's Cuttin' Up. Other regional credits include her role as Etta Mae in the world premiere of The Women of Brewster Place at The Alliance Theatre (Atlanta's Suzi Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical); as Bess in a jazz and blues adaptation of Porgy and Bess (B. Iden Payne Award) at the Zachary Scott Theater Center in Austin, Texas; It's Better with a Band (Prince Music Theater); Elliot Ness in Cleveland (Cleveland Playhouse), Twist (Walnut Street Theatre), One Mo' Time, Sing Mahalia Sing, Bubbling Brown Sugar, and the US tour of A…My Name Is Alice. Her film and TV credits include Assunder, starring Blair Underwood, Virtuosity, starring Denzel Washington, as Jacarra Principle on the ABC daytime soap opera One Life to Live from 1997-1998, and guest starring roles on L.A. Law, Star Trek: Voyager, Mad About You, and Sister, Sister. She has been commissioned by Arena Stage to create and star in a solo musical piece about her journey in show business as a woman of faith.
The Jazz Arts Group is proud to partner with The Salvation Army of Central Ohio during its entire run of “Home for the Holidays." In 2011, The Salvation Army distributed over 21,000 new toys and assisted over 8,000 families through its Adopt-a-Family and Christmas Cheer programs. Representatives from The Salvation Army will be on hand at each “Home for the Holidays" performance with their signature red kettles to accept donations.
Under the direction of Mark Donavan, the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra (CYJO) is proud to perform prior to each Swingin' with the CJO 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 2 PM is included with each 3 PM Sunday matinee ticket purchase.
Swingin' with the CJO Improv subscriptions (they make great Christmas gifts!) are available through the CAPA Ticket Office at 39 East State Street or by calling 614-469-0939. Single tickets are also on sale for $52 (main floor), $46 (first balcony) and $30 (second balcony) and available through the CAPA Ticket Office and through all Ticketmaster outlets. Student tickets are available for $15 (over 18) and $10 (under 18) with valid ID at the door. For more information call 614-294-5200 or visit www.jazzartsgroup.org.
The 40th anniversary season of the Jazz Arts Group is proudly presented by Grange Insurance. The Columbus Jazz Orchestra receives ongoing support from the Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council, and The Westin Columbus. Concert sponsorship for “Home for the Holidays" is provided by Grange Insurance with media support from The Columbus Dispatch, WOSU Public Media, and WMNI AM 920.
The Jazz Academy also invites you to join us on Saturday, December 8 at 2 PM to sing the “Songs of the Season." This holiday sing-a-long is for anyone and everyone who would like to gather together, sing, have fun and celebrate the season! After the singing, enjoy cookies and punch and time to visit with one another at the Jazz Academy. This workshop is free with a donation of a new toy to The Salvation Army. Space is limited so please register in advance to secure your spot! For more information call 614-294-5200.
About the Jazz Arts Group:
The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) is America's oldest not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to producing, performing and promoting jazz. JAG is the third largest performing arts organization in Columbus and consists of four focus areas: the Columbus Jazz Orchestra (CJO), one of the world's finest professional jazz orchestras; the Jazz Academy, JAG's extensive instructional programs educating both students and adults about jazz and American music; Inside Track, a jazz and blues performance series produced at the historic Lincoln Theatre and beyond; and Affiliate Musicians, a program providing employment opportunities for professional musicians.
About The Salvation Army in Central Ohio: The Salvation Army in Central Ohio has been serving those in need since 1885, and in 2011, helped more than 96,000 people in Columbus and surrounding areas. The Salvation Army in Central Ohio is a collection of Salvation Army churches (called corps) and facilities where area residents can receive such services as choice food pantries; after school learning centers; senior activities and assistance; case workers to serve the homeless community; career enhancement centers; emergency disaster services; ministers; and more. The Salvation Army serves people in need year round through holistic ministries and programs that offer long-term solutions to spiritual, physical, emotional and social needs.
Ms. Hicks has previously lit up the Broadway stage and captivated Columbus audiences for the CJO's “A Night at the Apollo" concert performances. Back by popular demand, she joins Artistic Director Byron Stripling for a sleigh ride of holiday favorites done CJO-style!
After appearing on Broadway in Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music for nearly three years, Ms. Hicks met Stevie Wonder and began touring with him. She then undertook singing background vocals on his 1987 album, Characters. As a gospel singer, Ms. Hicks is a featured vocalist on the Broadway Inspirational Voices Choir's Christmas CD, Great Joy. She has also toured the world with Whitney Houston, James Ingram, and Michael Jackson for the HIStory tour.
A favorite at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, the award-winning performing artist has worked on five productions including Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, starring Broadway legend Maurice Hines, for which she is nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, Thunder Knocking on the Door (Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress), The Women of Brewster Place, Crowns and Charles Randolph Wright's Cuttin' Up. Other regional credits include her role as Etta Mae in the world premiere of The Women of Brewster Place at The Alliance Theatre (Atlanta's Suzi Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical); as Bess in a jazz and blues adaptation of Porgy and Bess (B. Iden Payne Award) at the Zachary Scott Theater Center in Austin, Texas; It's Better with a Band (Prince Music Theater); Elliot Ness in Cleveland (Cleveland Playhouse), Twist (Walnut Street Theatre), One Mo' Time, Sing Mahalia Sing, Bubbling Brown Sugar, and the US tour of A…My Name Is Alice. Her film and TV credits include Assunder, starring Blair Underwood, Virtuosity, starring Denzel Washington, as Jacarra Principle on the ABC daytime soap opera One Life to Live from 1997-1998, and guest starring roles on L.A. Law, Star Trek: Voyager, Mad About You, and Sister, Sister. She has been commissioned by Arena Stage to create and star in a solo musical piece about her journey in show business as a woman of faith.
The Jazz Arts Group is proud to partner with The Salvation Army of Central Ohio during its entire run of “Home for the Holidays." In 2011, The Salvation Army distributed over 21,000 new toys and assisted over 8,000 families through its Adopt-a-Family and Christmas Cheer programs. Representatives from The Salvation Army will be on hand at each “Home for the Holidays" performance with their signature red kettles to accept donations.
Under the direction of Mark Donavan, the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra (CYJO) is proud to perform prior to each Swingin' with the CJO 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 2 PM is included with each 3 PM Sunday matinee ticket purchase.
Swingin' with the CJO Improv subscriptions (they make great Christmas gifts!) are available through the CAPA Ticket Office at 39 East State Street or by calling 614-469-0939. Single tickets are also on sale for $52 (main floor), $46 (first balcony) and $30 (second balcony) and available through the CAPA Ticket Office and through all Ticketmaster outlets. Student tickets are available for $15 (over 18) and $10 (under 18) with valid ID at the door. For more information call 614-294-5200 or visit www.jazzartsgroup.org.
The 40th anniversary season of the Jazz Arts Group is proudly presented by Grange Insurance. The Columbus Jazz Orchestra receives ongoing support from the Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council, and The Westin Columbus. Concert sponsorship for “Home for the Holidays" is provided by Grange Insurance with media support from The Columbus Dispatch, WOSU Public Media, and WMNI AM 920.
The Jazz Academy also invites you to join us on Saturday, December 8 at 2 PM to sing the “Songs of the Season." This holiday sing-a-long is for anyone and everyone who would like to gather together, sing, have fun and celebrate the season! After the singing, enjoy cookies and punch and time to visit with one another at the Jazz Academy. This workshop is free with a donation of a new toy to The Salvation Army. Space is limited so please register in advance to secure your spot! For more information call 614-294-5200.
About the Jazz Arts Group:
The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) is America's oldest not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to producing, performing and promoting jazz. JAG is the third largest performing arts organization in Columbus and consists of four focus areas: the Columbus Jazz Orchestra (CJO), one of the world's finest professional jazz orchestras; the Jazz Academy, JAG's extensive instructional programs educating both students and adults about jazz and American music; Inside Track, a jazz and blues performance series produced at the historic Lincoln Theatre and beyond; and Affiliate Musicians, a program providing employment opportunities for professional musicians.
About The Salvation Army in Central Ohio: The Salvation Army in Central Ohio has been serving those in need since 1885, and in 2011, helped more than 96,000 people in Columbus and surrounding areas. The Salvation Army in Central Ohio is a collection of Salvation Army churches (called corps) and facilities where area residents can receive such services as choice food pantries; after school learning centers; senior activities and assistance; case workers to serve the homeless community; career enhancement centers; emergency disaster services; ministers; and more. The Salvation Army serves people in need year round through holistic ministries and programs that offer long-term solutions to spiritual, physical, emotional and social needs.
