A beloved tradition continues with the 30th anniversary June Jazz concert at Elmhurst University. Jazz fans will gather at 6:30 p.m. on June 20 at the Elmhurst University Mall, 190 S. Prospect Ave., for this annual free concert.
“For a lot of people, it has become an unofficial kickoff to the summer,” said Chris Parsons, who is in his fourth year as the director of June Jazz. Parsons said when he was in high school his family would come to the concert from Norridge each year.
For this special anniversary performance, Parsons invited acclaimed guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli and his trio to join the Elmhurst University Jazz Band.
“John has had a long history with the Elmhurst music department and the jazz band,” Parsons said. “He’s done June Jazz a number of times. It being the 30th, we thought about who had a strong history with the event.”
Parsons considers Pizzarelli “a multilevel threat — he’s an amazing singer. He’s an amazing storyteller.” He’s also a great guitarist, the director added. Choosing Pizzarelli was “a no-brainer,” Parsons concluded.
Pizzarelli has recorded more than 20 albums and has toured North America, South America, Asia and Europe. His most recent album, “Dear Mr. Bennett” is a tribute to Tony Bennett.
“What I really enjoy about the group — especially the trio — is that it’s a drummer-less trio,” Parsons noted. “It’s bass guitar, guitar and piano.” That sound evokes what Parsons described as “a nice spectrum of colors and taste.”
Working with musicians of this caliber is an amazing experience for the young musicians in Elmhurst University’s jazz band, Parsons said, “They get an opportunity to be a part of greatness and to see how a professional like that works.” They also learn the skills of “a true leader and a true entertainer,” Parsons added, and how to “grab hold of the crowd.”
“I always like playing with the band because it’s a great way to meet the students,” Pizzarelli said. “I like the idea that we’re professional musicians around kids who want to be professional musicians or enjoy that experience.”
Pizzarelli’s trio includes pianist Isaiah J. Thompson and Michael Karn on double-bass. Pizzarelli will perform on guitar and vocals. Thompson has performed with Pizzarelli for six years and Karn for 10.
Pizzarelli chose all the selections for the concert.
He reported that prior to the concert he was asked, “What do you want to play?,” Pizzarelli said. “I send them the stuff and they rehearse. Then we’ll do a rehearsal in the morning.”
“The trio will do a number of things from our new album,” Pizzarelli said.
The Jazz Band will join the trio on a number of selections, including, “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” and several other arrangements by Don Sebesky.
“This is another opportunity to play these great arrangements that I have that I don’t get to play that often,” Pizzarelli noted. “Those kinds of things are what makes this gig fun also.”
The set will also include a new arrangement of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”
There will even be a little Beatles set from a recording Pizzarelli made around 30 years ago, consisting of “You Can’t Do That,” “Oh! Darling,” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.”
“I always like playing the Beatles selections,” Pizzarelli said.
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Pizzarelli described the program as “a diverse list of standards and pop songs. I’m really excited about it.”
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.