A UNIQUE BIG BAND IN TOWN
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| Saxes Greg Mullen, alto Mike Merchut, alto Fred Grubbe, tenor Mark Brown, tenor Gary Glowacz, bari |
Trumpets Rick Stagl Bob Glees Barry Slabaugh Wayne Wegmann John Thode |
Trombones Nick Talarico Bill Kort Jim Greene Bob Hansen, tuba |
Rhythm Jennifer R. Connelly, vocals John Paluch, piano Ron Levin, guitar Dennis Gardino, bass Mike O’Brien, drums |
Metro Chicago loves jazz. Soloists, singers, avante garde guerillas, and traditionalist “happy feet” combos all find a ready audience here. Part of that scene is one kind of unit that never seems to go out of style, and has no equal in generating an impact on listeners - the BIG BAND!
There are a lot of them out there. Add up the pros, the wannabes, and the students, and you'll find hundreds, but nothing quite like the Reunion Jazz Orchestra! All members of the RJO share a unique background. Each member is a “Son of Notre Dame”; either from Notre Dame College Prep in Niles, Illinois, or from that other Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Out of this creative environment have come many famous and award-winning musicians, such as, Jimmy Pankow (Chicago), Grammy nominee 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 in its ranks doctors and architects, executives and entrepreneurs, and information technology professionals, and the band has as authentic a swing as you'll find anywhere, but it also plays ballads, progressive, some Latin, and some powerful big band rock. The RJO performances also showcase the unique vocal stylings of Chicago favorite, Jennifer R. Connelly.
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 High School. 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. Due to their efforts, and the support of fans and friends, the Reunion Jazz Orchestra has recently set up a scholarship program at Notre Dame College Prep for students of the music department
There are a lot of them out there. Add up the pros, the wannabes, and the students, and you'll find hundreds, but nothing quite like the Reunion Jazz Orchestra! All members of the RJO share a unique background. Each member is a “Son of Notre Dame”; either from Notre Dame College Prep in Niles, Illinois, or from that other Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Out of this creative environment have come many famous and award-winning musicians, such as, Jimmy Pankow (Chicago), Grammy nominee 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 in its ranks doctors and architects, executives and entrepreneurs, and information technology professionals, and the band has as authentic a swing as you'll find anywhere, but it also plays ballads, progressive, some Latin, and some powerful big band rock. The RJO performances also showcase the unique vocal stylings of Chicago favorite, Jennifer R. Connelly.
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 High School. 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. Due to their efforts, and the support of fans and friends, the Reunion Jazz Orchestra has recently set up a scholarship program at Notre Dame College Prep for students of the music department
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Related Links
Alumni
Fr. George Wiskirchen(1928-2005)
Father of Jazz Education at
Notre Dame High School
and University of Notre Dame