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Release Date:

Friday, December 13, 2013

HFCC to present “Big Band, Bop and Pop” concert Jan. 25

Chris Traskal, Alto Jazz Sax Player

HFCC's Big Band and Midnight Blue will present the “Big Band, Bop and Pop” concert at the Michael A. Guido Theater in the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, located at 15801 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. This special engagement takes place on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at 8 p.m.

HFCC will present this concert with special patron sponsorships by the Rotary Club of Dearborn.

“The Rotary Club of Dearborn is grateful to the HFCC Big Band for allowing us to partner for a wonderful evening of music,” said Rotary President Jim Thorpe.

College scholarships awarded to Dearborn students are an important commitment made annually by the Rotary Club of Dearborn. This year, the Rotary Club of Dearborn will present scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to 20 students currently in Dearborn-based schools to further their college education. In addition, the Rotary Club of Dearborn raises funds to support other worthy projects in the community.

HFCC’s music programs showcase some of the best talent in the area at this event. Midnight Blue is an accomplished vocal jazz ensemble that performs the most challenging vocal jazz arrangements with big band, their own trio, or a cappella. Midnight Blue joined forces with the Big Band for special performances at the 2013 US Presidential Inaugural Celebration in Washington, D.C.

The Henry Ford Big Band, founded in 1981, has performed at major jazz festivals throughout the world. The Big Band performed for the last four Presidential Inaugural Celebrations in Washington, D.C., and recently returned from their France Tour in 2012 as headliners at the Jazz a Juan Jazz festival, Europe's oldest jazz festival. In addition to concerts, the Big Band performs numerous dance and concert engagements throughout the year.

Award-winning members performing in this concert include young professional musicians, music educators and traditional-aged music students who enroll at HFCC to continue their performance opportunities. Selections will include pieces from Count Basie, Leonard Bernstein, Maynard Ferguson, Chuck Mangione, Charlie Parker, and the rock group Three Dog Night, to name a few.

As an added incentive to attend this musical feast, three Dearborn restaurants will offer ticket holders a 15 to 20 percent discount on pre-concert meals on Jan. 25, 2014. Tax and gratuity are not included, as well as alcohol and bottled beverages. The Dearborn restaurants are

Kiernan's Steak House, 21931 Michigan Avenue;
LaPita Mediterranean Cuisine, 22681 Newman Street; and
Village Cucina Italiana, 9924 Dix.

To purchase tickets for “Big Band, Bop and Pop,” please call 313.943.2354 or visit www.dearborntheater.com.