Second Show Added to Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra's Vocal Jazz Summit

Due to popular demand, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts announces an added second show of Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra's Vocal Jazz Summit.

The new performance will take place Friday, September 15, 2017 at 8 p.m., joining the previously announced performance on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 8 p.m.

Tickets for both performances are currently on sale. Tickets are $39.50 and may be purchased online at drphillipscenter.org, by calling 844.513.2014 or by visiting the Dr. Phillips Center Box Office at 445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday. Online and phone ticket purchases are subject to handling fees.

The newly-formed Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra, under the vision and leadership of artistic director Rodney Whitaker, presents an evening of unforgettable hits from the Great American Songbook blues, soul and jazz favorites, sung by some of Orlando's best jazz and R&B vocalists. Joining the eighteen-piece jazz band are acclaimed artists Michelle Amato, Linda Cole, Michelle Maihot, Rick Melvern and David Pruyn.

The Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra is made possible through generous support from Joyce and Judson Green.

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization operating the state-of-the-art performing arts center in downtown Orlando, Florida. With its opening in November 2014, the performing arts center launched its vision of Arts for Every Life by being a gathering place for creativity and discovery; a vibrant urban destination where artists, audiences and students come to experience, explore and learn. The two-block community destination features the 2,700-seat Walt Disney Theater, 300-seat Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, Seneff Arts Plaza, Dr. Phillips Center Florida Hospital School of the Arts, the DeVos Family Room, and other event rental spaces. Future expansion includes Steinmetz Hall, a 1,700-seat acoustical theater, along with rehearsal, classroom, office space and commercial development spaces. Dr. Phillips Center is a private non-profit collaborating with the City of Orlando, Orange County, the State of Florida and generous donors.

Rodney Whitaker is an internationally-renowned bassist and Mack Avenue recording artist. He currently holds the title of Professor of Jazz Bass and Director of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University, where he has built one of the leading jazz degree programs and performing faculty in the United States. A proven and committed jazz educator, Whitaker has presented numerous master classes across the nation and is a member of Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Michelle has performed and recorded with an incredibly diverse array of artists, including Liza Minelli, Al Green, Sandi Patty, Jon Secada, Donna Summer, Michael McDonald, Ira Sullivan, Jon Hendricks, Celia Cruz, Rita Marley and world-renowned composer Yanni. Her solo work can be heard on Yanni's album, "Ethnicity" and his DVD, "Yanni Live." Michelle's debut album is I'm All Smiles. From her home base in Central Florida, Michelle travels the world as a soloist and studio recording artist.

At age 3, Linda Cole started singing with her father and mother, James and Erma Cole, forming The Singing Cole Family. After 17 years with her family, Linda branched out into rhythm & blues traveling from Manhattan to Detroit to Los Angeles and beyond. She released several hit singles and has worked with such artists as Billy "Spinner" Henderson of The Spinners; and Billy Davis, Jr. of The Fifth Dimension. Well-known to Central Florida audiences since 1991, Linda has appeared with the Central Florida Jazz Society and Northeast Florida Jazz Association. She currently performs as a guest soloist with the internationally-known Nancy Waldman Trio, including Doug Matthews on bass and Warren Cohen on drums.

Michelle has performed with Bobby McFerrin, Billy Taylor, Mel Tormé, Max Roach, Sheila Jordan, Sandy Patti, Chita Rivera, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Liz Calloway, Dick Williams, Pete Barbutti, Thomas Dolby, Don Shelton and Liza Minnelli. Locally, she performs with the Orlando Philharmonic, the Central Florida Jazz Society and the Spacecoast Jazz Society. Orlando audiences know her best as a member of the Drama Desk Award-winning group, Vox Audio.

Rick has performed all over the United States, Europe, Mexico and South Africa and has been involved in many projects for Walt Disney World and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. He has contributed to countless Studio Productions, including the theme song for the '96 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Rick has shared the stage with many celebrity artists such as George Benson, Jeffrey Osborne, Phoebe Snow, Herbie Mann, Conway Twitty, The Temptations, The Miracles, Kool and the Gang and many more.

New Orleans native David Pruyn's varied background also includes arranging, orchestrating and touring with the show Satchmo, a Broadway musical based on the life of Louis Armstrong. He has worked with many of the greats including: Dick Hyman, Chick Corea, Mike Renzi, Ray Brown, John Clayton, Jaco Pastorius, Pete Christlieb, Eddie Barefield, Al Cohn, John LaPorta, Bob Mintzer, Ed Calle, Nick Brignola, Bill Prince, Terry Myers, Bobby Shew, Doc Severinsen, Snooky Young, Walt Johnson, Carl Saunders, Byron Stripling, Buddy Morrow, Dave Steinmeyer, Rich Matteson, Dave Wolpe, Bill Allred, the Harry James, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, and Les Brown Orchestras, as well as singers Mel Torme, Jack Jones, Steve Lawrence, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Walt Andrus, Al Jarreau, Michael Feinstein, Rosemary Clooney, Edie Gorme, Manhattan Transfer and his old hometown buddy, Harry Connick, Jr.

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