The George Gee Swing Orchestra To Open Jazz Showcase Season at the Bickford Theatre

The George Gee Swing Orchestra opens the new expanded jazz showcase season at the Bickford Theatre in Morristown on Thursday, September 28. One of the most popular big bands in the world, the George Gee Swing Orchestra will appear for the first time at the intimate theatre. The concert begins at 7:30. The food truck picnic, which was extremely popular for Summer Jazzfest, will begin at 5:00 for those who want to enjoy some early fall tailgating. All seats for the concert are reserved and available online at www.morrismuseum.org or by phone at 973-971-3706.

Led by the charismatic George Gee, the only Chinese-American big band leader around, the 11-piece orchestra is comprised of some of New York's top jazz musicians including Michael Hashim, tenor sax; Julius Tolentino, alto sax; Tony Lustig, baritone sax; trumpeters Freddie Hendrix and Andy Gravish; David Gibson, trombone; Steve Einerson, piano, Brian Fishler, drums; and Clark Terry's longtime bassist Marcus McLaurine. George Gee is pleased to introduce a young singer making a name for herself in New York City, Shenel Johns. In the past few months, she has been featured in tributes to two of her idols, Billie Holliday at Jazz at Lincoln Center and Lena Horne at Lincoln Center's Appel Room.

About the band, Gee has said, "Our enthusiasm is obvious and infections. Swing music generally is upbeat and cheerful ... It was created during a challenging era expressly to uplift audiences. And it continues to uplift us today."

The George Gee Swing Orchestra was the first big band to play on MTV and has been spotlighted on many television shows from "Entertainment Tonight" to "Live at Lincoln Center." The band has provided specially scored music and made an "animated" guest appearance in a Fantastic Four cartoon. Not only have they toured across the entire country from Boston to Beverley Hills, they have appeared all over the world in places as diverse as Europe, Asia, and South America. A mainstay at New York City's famed Rainbow Room, the band is now a regular headliner at Swing46 Jazz and Supper Club in midtown Manhattan.

Tickets may be purchased online at morrismuseum.org, by phone at (973) 971-3706, or in person at the Bickford Theatre Box Office. All seats are reserved so order your tickets early. The concert begins at 7:30 with food trucks onsite for tailgating starting at 5:00.

The Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ, and offers free parking and full accessibility. Box office hours for phone sales are Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Walk-up hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

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