Ithaca College

Three free jazz concerts are coming up at Ithaca College. The Ithaca College Vocal Jazz Ensemble, directed by Lauri Robinson-Keegan, will offer a “Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald” on Tuesday, November 29 at 8:15 p.m. in Ford Hall in the James J. Whalen Center for Music. The Jazz Workshop big band directed by Keaton Akins will perform on Wednesday, November 30 at 8:15 p.m. in Ford Hall with guest saxophonist Mike Dubaniewicz, and the Jazz Workshop led by Steve Brown will present a concert on Friday, December 2, also at 8:15 p.m. in Ford Hall.

The Vocal Jazz program features selections first performed by "America's First Lady of Song,” including the classics "Lady Be Good," "Old Mother Hubbard," "How High the Moon", "Duke's Place," "I'm Beginning to See the Light" and "Pete Kelly's Blues." The concert will also include music by Dave Riley and instrumental features by the rhythm section.

At the December 2 Jazz Workshop concert, Steve Gilmore will be the featured bass soloist. Gilmore is a veteran of some four decades of performing in the Pocono Mountains resorts. Since 1974, he has worked with drummer Bill Goodwin and the Phil Woods quartet. He has performed with The Chamber Jazz Quintet, Al Cohn and Zoot Sims, Tom Waits, Mose Allison, and The National Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Chuck Israels.