Calgary Jazz Orchestra launches season with ‘Disney Reimagined’ show

The Calgary Jazz Orchestra is kicking off a new season, after basically being idled for the past two-and-a-half years.

The season begins with the first show called “Disney Reimagined” on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at River Park Church.

A throwback to our 2016-2017 season where we played a little Disney and a little Harry Connick Jr! Tomorrow is the day we play a LOT of both for you! ✨See you all tomorrow!! https://t.co/6JtmjGIgjI

— CalgaryJazzOrchestra (@CalgaryJazz) October 22, 2022

Calgary Jazz Orchestra director and band leader, Johnny Summers, says it feels good to perform after a tough couple of years.

“It’s been a very interesting time for sure for roughly a year and a half. We as musicians weren’t working pretty much at all. And when we started performing together even in small groups there was a lot of elation and celebration and hugs and it was great to be back together and back in front of people,” he said.

“The Calgary Jazz Orchestra has done a few public performances at one of our own concert series last Christmas. We’re extremely excited to be past that, we’re rehearsing the band is on fire. I’ve never had this level of enthusiasm because we’ve missed it and we’ve missed it for so long,” Summers added.

The full set for the season will include a five-concert plan.

The first one is Disney Reimagined in October, Perfectly Frank Christmas which is a yearly tradition in December, Art of Romance, Art of Soul with Strings in February, and a new suite that Summers wrote that was commissioned by Darcy Stamp a violinist titled the “Stamped Collective Suite” performing the music of Lewis Armstrong in April, and they will end off the season in June partnering with the Calgary Latin Orchestra

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There are two themes for the Disney Reimagined Show, and there are two shows for the entire evening ensemble.

“So the first half of the concert is the music of Disney Reimagined and I love Disney music and I grew up listening to the Disney music of my era that were new movies at that time,” Summers explained.

“But when I look back through the history, as well as up to now it’s still incredibly well-crafted music that people of all ages like, and I think a lot of those themes stay with us. So I’ve had the pleasure of reorchestrating them, and reimagining them so we can explore the music of Disney but also showcase all of the talents of the musicians in the group.”

Summers says the orchestra will also be celebrating the music of Harry Connick Junior and Louis Armstrong, along with other original music he’s written.

The orchestra will also have a guest pianist, composer, and vocalist, Jillian Lebeck from Vancouver. Summers says he and Lebeck share a passion for Harry Connick Jr. music.

“I didn’t know she had such passion for it and ability to play in the more lenient style that he is so incredible at,” he said.

Calgarians are encouraged to attend and try something new like listening to a sonata or two.

Season passes and single-individual tickets are available for purchase on the Calgary Jazz Orchestra’s website.

–With files from Pete Curtis