To help sustain the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College as a quality performance venue, the special Jazz on the Hill fundraising event, featuring the Joyce Lyons Jazz Ensemble, will be staged on the Community Concert Hall stage (literally) on Saturday, Sept. 17. The evening's performance features acclaimed jazz vocalist Joyce Lyons accompanied by professional jazz musicians Graydon Peterson on bass, Jay Epstein on drums, and Phil Aaron, keyboards.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Serzen Endowment Fund for Concert Hall Operations. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Tickets ($100 per person) are limited.
The Jazz on the Hill series dates back to the early years of the Community Concert Hall, when supporter Russ Serzen volunteered his time to offer up names of rising young jazz stars or even established greats he knew would appeal to Durango's fickle music sensibilities. With Serzen's help, Jazz on the Hill was created, and continues today as a legacy and tribute to the Community Concert Hall patron whose life was taken too soon. Serzen's wife Bette established the memorial endowment fund following his passing.
"The Concert Hall continues to present jazz events each season," said Concert Hall Director Charles Leslie, acknowledging Serzen's integral role in keeping jazz in the Concert Hall line-up. "I believe we should always have jazz as part of our series as it is truly an American art form."
Lyons, part singer, actress and comedian, was one of Russ Serzen's "favorites." She's been described as "what Cabaret is all about," and her shows in New York City and throughout the country have proven legendary, with her infectious personality earning her a legion of friends in Durango. Lyons' rich alto has been compared to Dianne Reeves and Oleta Adams as she's said to dig into the lyrics and meaning of a song.
Lyons' back-up trio - Graydon Peterson, Jay Epstein, Phil Aaron - is returning to Durango from Minnesota to perform at Jazz on the Hill.
Tickets for the Jazz on the Hill fundraising dinner are available on-line at www.durangoconcerts.com, or call 247-7657, or visit the Ticket Office inside the Durango Welcome Center at 8th St. and Main Ave., Downtown Durango. Ticket Office hours are Monday - Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. All sales final.
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary Season in 2016-2017, the Community Concert Hall is a not-for-profit, multi-use performance venue located on the campus of Fort Lewis College. Its ability to bring a diverse spectrum of shows to Southwest Colorado is made possible through a partnership with the college, a state-supported, independent institution of higher education, and through financial and in-kind contributions from generous members of the community.
