The Cab Calloway Orchestra to Celebrate Jazz at Heritage Center

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Cab Calloway Orchestra will replace the Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra to bring an unforgettable sensation of a modern jazz orchestra in full flight to the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 9, 2024, in John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center, University of Dubuque. The performance is part of the 11th annual Live at Heritage Center Performing Arts Series.

Tickets purchased for the Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra will be honored for the Cab Calloway Orchestra. Patrons who have questions may call the Farber Box Office at 563.585.SHOW.

Patrons won't soon forget the shiny instruments all in a row, the soloist singing and playing their hearts out, the silky-smooth ensemble passagework, the spicy brass harmonies, the whole room bouncing and swaying to the irresistible rhythm, and everybody singing "Hi-De-Ho!" The Cab Calloway Orchestra, now under the baton of Cab Calloway's grandson, Calloway Brooks, delivers both the authentic sound of a hot jazz orchestra and a snazzy stage style - bringing out a jump, blues, and boogie experience that has been described as "Swing that is king and Jazz that's alive."

The Calloway family has been dazzling audiences since the 1920s and this year is no exception. The Cab Calloway Orchestra uses the Calloway bands original vintage orchestrations as a starting point, coupled with the incredible musicians who have played with this big band for decades.

Calloway Brooks started playing guitar at age 7, won his first musical awards at age 9, and went on to become a graduate of the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music. He credits the many years of experience with his grandfather Cab Calloway as a cornerstone of his musical education. Brooks has performed with jazz orchestras such as the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, and, of course, the Cab Calloway Orchestra. He has also performed with people including Kenny Burrell, Ran Blake, Don Byron, Anthony Braxton, Sheila Jordan, Roy Meriwether, Joel Martin, and more.

Cab Calloway passed away in 1994. He was inducted posthumously into the International Jazz Hall of Fame in 1995.

A free pre-show reception for "Wendt Character Initiative Presents Character Explorations: Shaping Character for Lives of Purpose" will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 9, 2024. The exhibit will be open Monday, February 5, 2024, through Thursday, February 29, 2024.

Support for the Cab Calloway Orchestra is provided by the Iowa Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tickets for the Cab Calloway Orchestra may be purchased by visiting the Farber Box Office, Heritage Center, University of Dubuque, 2255 Bennett Street; by calling 563.585.7469; or by visiting www.dbq.edu/HeritageCenter. Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets online for reduced ticket handling fees.

The Farber Box Office is open 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 90 minutes prior to events.

In its second year, the Heritage Performing Arts Loyalty System (H-PALS) continues to allow patrons to earn rewards with most ticket purchases. For every $200 spent on eligible events, patrons will receive one free ticket (valued up to $50) to their choice of eligible event. Reward points are redeemable for Live at Heritage Center Performing Arts Series events only. Please visit www.dbq.edu/HeritageCenter and click on "PURCHASE TICKETS" for more details.