On Saturday, February 9, 2013, the Sycamore Music Boosters proudly welcomes the Chris Johnson Quartet as they host its fifth annual night of jazz and classical music entitled “A Note to Remember” from 7:00pm – 11:00pm at Blumen Gardens in Sycamore. The event will feature the highly acclaimed Chris Johnson Quartet, Diana Carls (formerly known as Diana Morrasy), the Sycamore High School Jazz Ensemble and other school ensembles of the Sycamore music program. Additionally, the new Sycamore High School Music Hall of Fame will be officially unveiled. Three Sycamore High School alumni will be introduced and honored as our first inductees. An elegant, sweet and savory hors d’oeuvres buffet and coffee bar will be included along with a raffle and silent auction of over 50 gifts and prizes generously donated by local businesses.
Christopher Johnson, an extremely gifted trombonist, brings a sound deeply rooted in the hard swinging blues and gospel; a refreshing approach that will warm the hearts of everyone. Chris has performed with world class musicians such as Clark Terry, Wycliffe Gordon, Terell Stafford, Stefon Harris, Victor Lewis, Eric Reed, and numerous other musicians.
Christopher began playing the trombone at age11 as he was immediately taken to the sound when he heard his middle school band director playing it one day after school. He continued playing and studying music throughout high school, winning several awards on the way, including a full ride music scholarship to the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (UAPB). At UAPB, it was through legendary jazz trumpeter, Clark Terry, that he got his first taste of real jazz. They began working together through master classes and one-on-one lessons. Chris continued studying jazz at Northern Illinois University, where he studied with world class jazz educator, Ronald Carter. Chris also studied with Tom Garling (Former Music Director and trombonist for Maynard Ferguson) and briefly with Wycliffe Gordon and Andre Hayward.
Currently, Chris is a high-demand trombonist in the Chicago and Los Angeles areas. He leads the Chris Johnson Quartet and tours the country regularly with other groups at festivals, clubs and private events. As an educator, he teaches private lessons for all brass instruments and is the current Director of the Northern Illinois University CS Jazz Band. He also has directed jazz combos, the NIU All University Jazz Ensemble, and taught Jazz Appreciation at NIU.
A Note to Remember’s sponsors currently include Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists, National Bank & Trust Company, Prairie View Animal Hospital, Ideal Industries, Kish Health Systems, Austin’s Violin Shop, Suter Company, American Midwest Bank, Law Office of Richard L. Turner, and Sycamore Fraternal Order of the Police.
A limited number of tickets are available for this adult-only event at $20.00 per person which includes musical entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and coffee bar. A cash bar will also be available. Tickets are on sale now at the Sycamore High School main office, via email at Note2Remember@gmail.com, calling 815.757.5688, and at all upcoming music department concerts. For more information, please visit http://www.sycamoremusicboosters.com and follow us on Facebook.
The Sycamore Music Boosters is a group of families and friends of students enrolled in music education classes in Sycamore Schools. This fundraiser will aid in the purchase of instruments, uniforms, and scholarships for Sycamore’s talented musicians.