The Jazz Arts Group’s 2010-2011 Swingin’ at the Southern series continues December 1-5 with Home for the Holidays, featuring a return engagement with vocalist Carmen Bradford for the annual holiday spectacular.

Ms. Bradford was featured in the Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s production of Louis, Ella & Friends, celebrating the music of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. Back by popular demand, Carmen joins Artistic Director Byron Stripling again for a sleigh ride of holiday favorites done CJO-style.

Carmen Bradford was discovered and hired by Mr. Count Basie and was the featured vocalist in the legendary Count Basie Orchestra for nine years. She has since performed and/or recorded with: Wynton Marsalis, Shelly Berg, John Clayton along with the Clayton Hamilton Orchestra, Nancy Wilson, Doc Severinsen, Tony Bennett, James Brown, Patti Austin, Byron Stripling, Dori Caymmi, George Benson, Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, DIVA Jazz Orchestra, the National Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and countless artists around the world.

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 http://www.jazzartsgroup.org.

The Jazz Arts Group is proud to partner with the Mid-Ohio Foodbank for a bonus Saturday matinee performance on December 4. For 30 years, the Mid-Ohio Foodbank has been working with grocers, food companies, Ohio farmers, the USDA, and community partners to obtain food and distribute it to more than 500 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, after-school programs, and senior housing sites across central and eastern Ohio. JAG encourages attendees to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to this special 2 PM Saturday performance.

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. Home for the Holidays is sponsored by Grange Insurance with media support from The Columbus Dispatch, WMNI AM 920, and WOSU Public Media.

###

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 new jazz and blues performance series produced at the historic Lincoln Theatre; and Affiliate Musicians, a program providing employment opportunities for professional musicians.