Chicago Jazz Orchestra Ass. Appoints Travis Rosenthal As Executive Director

The Chicago Jazz Orchestra Association (CJOA) announces the appointment of Travis Rosenthal as the new Executive Director of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra Association (CJOA), effective August 1, 2011. Mr. Rosenthal replaces Alyce Claerbaut, who has assumed the presidency of Billy Strayhorn Songs, Inc.

Following an extensive search and review of over twenty candidates who applied for the position, the CJOA presented their new ED very enthusiastically. CJO Artistic Director Jeff Lindberg states, "Mr. Rosenthal possesses the energy, integrity, creativity and knowledge to move the organization forward. We extend our warmest welcome to Mr. Rosenthal, and I look forward to working with him toward our shared goals for the future."

A native of St. Jacob, Illinois, a small southwestern Illinois town, Mr. Rosenthal has been involved in music, specifically jazz, as a performer, educator and advocate. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from McKendree University, and a Masters Degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. In addition, he served as the Director of Music for Canton Christian Church in Canton, Missouri.

Mr. Rosenthal has strong credentials in the area of arts development as well as an extensive knowledge of social and creative marketing strategies. In addition, he possesses a strong, youthful dynamic in event management, program development, and community outreach and education.

In the public announcement of Mr. Travis as their new Executive Director, the CJOA also acknowledged the contribution of Alyce Claerbaut to the organization, as both Director of Public Relations and Executive Director. "The Association greatly appreciates the dedication, commitment and vision that Ms. Claerbaut exhibited in her roles as Executive Director and Director of Public Relations, as the organization moves into its next phase of development," says Board Chair Robert Johnson. "We wish her every success in her role as President of Billy Strayhorn Songs, Inc."

Please join the CJO on Mondays throughout the remainder of August for its summer residency at Andy's Jazz Club, 11 E. Hubbard, Chicago (312) 642-6805, info@andysjazzclub.com. Cover charge is $10.00. Performances are at 5:15 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Featured singers include local favorite, Cheryl Wilson, August 15th, CJO regular Frieda Lee, August 22nd, and from New York, Cyrille Aimée, August 29th.

Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra was founded in 1978 (Jazz Members Big Band) by Jeff Lindberg and the late Steve Jensen. Composed of Chicago's top musicians, the CJO is Chicago's oldest professional jazz orchestra in continuous operation and one of the oldest jazz repertory orchestras in the country. Conductor and Artistic Director Jeff Lindberg is one of the foremost transcribers in jazz. As a result, the Orchestra's repertoire draws upon his vast library, which includes the works of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Benny Carter, Oliver Nelson, Ray Charles, and many others.

The CJO also performs compositions and arrangements by members of the orchestra, including Associate Artistic Director Charley Harrison, whose CD Keeping My Composure, featuring Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra, has garnered excellent reviews locally and nationally.

Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra became the first professional jazz orchestra in Chicago to present a yearly subscription series (1998-99). The CJO is nationally recognized, and celebrated its 22nd year as the resident orchestra for The Kennedy Center Honors Gala in Washington, D.C. this past December. The CJO's 2005 compact disc Clark Terry and Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra: George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess (Americana Music) received widespread critical acclaim, including a rare "FIVE-STAR" rating in Downbeat magazine. The CD has been voted among the top CD's of the decade by Downbeat Magazine.

The CJO receives support from the Illinois Arts Council, The Joseph B. Glossberg Foundation, The Stare Fund, The Shana Alexander Charitable Foundation of New York, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The Oppenheimer Family Foundation, and The Irving B. Harris Foundation. Additional in-kind support from the Jazz Institute of Chicago and WHPK 88.5 FM. The CJO's media sponsor is WDCB 90.9 FM.

For more information on the Chicago Jazz Orchestra please log on to www.chicagojazzorchestra.com or call (312)409-3947

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