The Jazz Arts Group's Inside Track series caps off Jazz Appreciation Month on April 29 – 30 at the Lincoln Theatre with "Birth of the Cool," a recreation of the iconic 1949-50 Miles Davis recording sessions featuring Mark Flugge (music director) and Jim Powell (trumpet); and a multi-media retrospective of mid-century art and design including narration by Denny Griffith, president of the Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD).

As jazz's bebop movement flourished during the late 1940s with its fast-paced rhythms from virtuosos like trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and saxophonist Charlie Parker, trumpeter Miles Davis headed off in a new direction. Taking cues from the innovations learned in Parker's group, Davis, along with his nonet, recorded twelve songs in a two-year span that, when released together on one album, became known as Birth of the Cool.

Birth of the Cool remains one of the defining, pivotal moments in jazz. Featuring unusual instrumentation and several notable musicians, the music consisted of innovative arrangements strongly inspired by classical music, and marked a major development in post-bebop jazz. Cool jazz, which became prominent during the Second World War, stands as an important reaction to bebop, in that the music was intricately arranged with a composed sound along with improvised sections. Later cool jazz would become strongly identified with west coast jazz – probably best represented by the Dave Brubeck Quartet's jazz classic Time Out (1959). The cool jazz influence even stretches into such developments as bossa nova, modal jazz and free jazz.

Single tickets are on sale now for $25 (orchestra) and $30 (loge) and are available by phone at 614-469-0939 and through all Ticketmaster outlets. Student tickets are also available for $15 with student ID at the door only. Call 614-294-5200 or visit http://www.jazzartsgroup.org for more information.

Columbus Alive will host a post-concert happy hour event on Saturday, April 30 at Black Creek Bistro (51 Parsons Avenue in Olde Towne East) featuring dinner and drink specials including a signature drink created especially for the “Birth of the Cool” concert.

In honor of Jazz Appreciation Month and in partnership with the Jazz Arts Group, the Columbus Museum of Art invites you to take a special Guide-by-Cell tour inspired by the "Birth of the Cool." Come be moved by music and art – discover the works of artist Man Ray, Rosemare Bearden, Stephen Longstreet and more. Free with museum admission during the month of April.

On April 16 at 2:00 PM, join Mark Flugge for the Jazz Academy's "COOL SCHOOL: Birth of the Cool" workshop to learn more about this important era in American music history – from the arrangements and instrumentation to the historical context and the artists associated with the movement. Register via phone at 614-294-5200 x 107 or online at http://www.jazzartsgroup.org.

The "Birth of the Cool" concert events are made possible through financial support from the State Auto Group. The Inside Track music series is presented by the Jazz Arts Group with media support from The Columbus Dispatch, Columbus Alive, CD101@102.5 and WCBE 90.5 FM.

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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.