Jazz Orchestra Swings the Season

Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker, Stan Kenton Merry Christmas performed in Suntree

(Suntree, FL) November 30, 2015 – The Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra will present two iconic Christmas albums, Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker and A Stan Kenton Merry Christmas at 7:00 PM on Saturday, December 12 at the Scott Center for the Performing Arts at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (5625 Holy Trinity Drive in north Melbourne, 32940).  Under the direction of Dr. Patrick Hennessey, the professional JAZZ Orchestra will start with jazz legend Stan Kenton’s holiday classics, including “O Holy Night,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and more.  The second half of the concert will feature Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite, a transformed jazz version of Tchaikovsky’s holiday masterpiece. Ellington and writing partner Bill Strayhorn created the hybrid album in the 1960s.  Hailed as the two greatest Christmas big band arrangements of all time, Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker and A Stan Kenton Merry Christmas provide jazz lovers with a swinging holiday alternative. $20 advance tickets for adults are available through the orchestra website at www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or at several convenient ticket outlets, including Ace Hardware stores in Indialantic and Cocoa Beach, Blue Sky Insurance in Cocoa Village, Tropical Realty of Suntree, Art Expressions in downtown Eau Gallie, Atlantic Strings in Melbourne, Maestro’s Cafe at the Central Brevard Library & Reference Center in Cocoa, Brass & Reed Music Store in Merritt Island, La Moda Boutique in Satellite Beach and Brevard Florist in Palm Bay.  Tickets at the door are $25.  The performance is free for those aged 18 and under or with a college student ID.    For more information, call toll free to 855-252-7276.

Professor, trombone player and veteran jazz band leader, Dr. Patrick Hennessey is looking forward to adding some sizzle to the season.

“This is a fantastic collection of Christmas classics,” said Hennessey.  “Both the Ellington and Kenton albums are high powered jazz at its best.  I can’t decide if this concert will be more fun to play or listen to.”

For more information about the Space Coast Symphony 2015-16 season or the Symphony for Everyone discount ticket program, please visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call toll-free (855) 252-7276.

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ABOUT THE SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA— The SCSO is a lively and passionate Central Florida orchestra comprised of professional musicians, music educators and mentored amateurs of exceptional ability.  The Orchestra was formed by Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins with a two-fold mission: to provide mentoring and performance opportunities for Florida’s finest young musicians as well as to provide professional concerts at genuinely affordable prices.  The ultimate goal of the organization is to help ensure the symphonic tradition for the enjoyment of future generations.

33- year old Aaron T. Collins is garnering recognition for his achievements.  LEAD Brevard named the ambitious Collins one of their “4 under 40” Young Professionals, the youngest-ever recipient of the honor.  Space Coast Businessmagazine listed him as one of Brevard’s “100 Most Admired Businesspeople.”  Through his personal involvement with more than a dozen performing arts groups, pioneering reciprocal ad program and social media cross promotions, Collins has gained a reputation for generosity; championing other arts organizations throughout Central Florida for the cultural enrichment of the community.

The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra performs in several very comfortable venues in Brevard and Indian River counties, with advance general admission tickets priced at just $20.  School-aged children 18 years and under are admitted free of charge, as are college students with a valid ID.  In keeping with their mission, the symphony provides a unique Symphony for Everyone ticketing program, a “pay-what-you-can” option designed to provide substantially discounted admission to any Space Coast Symphony concert.

Relying on a non-traditional orchestra model and a slim budget, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only 17 U.S. orchestras to perform year-round. In addition to maintaining the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra and Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra, the non-profit organization provides numerous separate and free ensemble performances. More information about the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concerts, ticket sales, venues, directions and sponsorship opportunities is available at www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org by calling toll free (855) 252-7276.

ABOUT DR. PATRICK HENNESSEY — Inspired by the rich musical environs of his birthplace, New Orleans, it is no wonder that Patrick has dedicated his professional life to the art of music. As a professional musician with extended residencies in Southern California, Hawai’i, and Florida, his performance credits include the touring Broadway shows A Chorus Line, Hello Dolly, Evita, Peter Pan, Grease, and Anything Goes. As a freelance musician he has played for such luminaries as Burt Bacharach, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli, Natalie Cole, Johnnie Mathis, Bob Hope, Marvin Hamlisch, and Rosemary Clooney, to name a few. Selected big band experiences of note have included the Del Courtney Orchestra, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Harry James Orchestra, the Tom Kubis Big Band and performances with the Bill Watrous Big Band. In addition, Patrick held the position of principal trombone in the Royal Hawaiian Band, the only full-time, fully funded municipal band in the United States. He retired from the band in 2009 after twenty-six years of distinguished service.

An experienced and versatile educator, Patrick led the jazz ensemble program at the University of Hawaiʻi to national prominence, with performances at the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival, the Reno Jazz Festival, the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival, and two appearances at the North Texas Jazz Festival. During his tenure he welcomed many renowned clinicians and guest soloists to work with his ensembles, including Jeff Jarvis, Jim Widner, Eric Miyashiro, Wycliffe Gordon, Bunky Green, Bill Cunliff, Kim Richmond, Bobby Sanabria, Emil Richards, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Gabe Baltazar. He has held adjunct positions at both Chaminade University and Brigham Young University – Hawai’i, and also served as the education director / co-artistic director of the Mānoa Jazz and Heritage Festival. Patrick also served as the Director of Bands at Hawaiʻi Pacific University, where he was charged with building a comprehensive band program. He concluded his career at Hawaiʻi Pacific University by leading the HPU Wind Symphony on a concert tour of the West Coast, with performances in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Earning his Ph.D. in musicology at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Patrick wrote his dissertation on Henry Berger (1844-1929), the legendary bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band. Die Internationale Gesellschaft zur Erforschung un Förderung der Blasmusik (IGEB) selected his work for the 2010 Fritz Thelen Prize, awarded bi-annually for the outstanding dissertation in the field of wind music research. He also holds degrees in music education (MA) and trombone performance (BM) and maintains active membership in numerous professional and musicological organizations. He has presented his research both nationally and internationally and has published in the Journal of Band Research, the New Grove Dictionary of American Music, the IGEB Mitteilungsblatt, and Alta Musica.

Patrick continues to maintain an active career as a clinician, adjudicator, educator and performer. Since moving to Florida in 2012, his performance experiences include Johnny Mathis, Jerry Lewis, the New York Tenors, the Alan Parsons Project, Celtic Thunder, and the Indigo Girls. He has also performed with and guest conducted the Melbourne Municipal Band while serving on the organization’s Board of Trustees. Additional community groups include the Central Florida Winds and the Dog Bones. Patrick is currently a member of the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra and the Director of the Stetson University Jazz Ensemble.