Description:

Derrick Gardner, conductor; Kris Johnson, trumpet; Lulu Fall, vocals

Tenor saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Dexter Gordon was among the most influential of the early bebop musicians, with a studio and performance career spanning more than 40 years. He honed a distinctive sound characterized by its spacious feel and behind-the-beat improvisations, as well as his signature use of musical quotations from well-known melodies. The Northwestern University Jazz Orchestra shares a selection of Gordon’s groundbreaking compositions, welcoming two special guests.  

Trumpeter, composer, and educator Kris Johnson has toured with the Count Basie Orchestra and performed at the Apollo Theater, Blue Note Jazz Club, Sydney Opera House, Blues Alley, and the Hollywood Bowl. He has appeared with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Tony Bennett, Patti Austin, Christian McBride, and many more jazz greats. Johnson arranged much of the music on the evening’s program. Singer, songwriter, actor, and visual artist Lulu Fall was a finalist in the fourth annual Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Jazz Competition and a winner of the Mid-Atlantic Song Competition. She has appeared in the national tour and Broadway production of HAIR and performed in the 71st annual Tony Awards, among numerous other Broadway and off-Broadway credits. Her latest album, Transform, was released in September 2022.