WATCH: CCM Jazz Orchestra performs with Ashlin Parker at Cincinnati's Freedom Center

The March 3 concert recording is now available to watch on demand

Celebrate the start of the Juneteenth holiday weekend with a look back at UC College-Conservatory of Music's Jazz Orchestra concert at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Watch the CCM Jazz Orchestra perform the music of New Orleans with guest artist Ashlin Parker, trumpet; the full concert is now available for on-demand viewing.

A companion to the Freedom Center’s Black History Month programming, the New Orleans Mardi Gras Concert was a celebration of music and culture, originally presented at the Harriet Tubman Theater on March 3, 2023. Directed by CCM Director of Jazz Studies Scott Belck, DMA, the concert featured New Orleans-based jazz trumpeter Ashlin Parker.

Parker is based in New Orleans, where he is sought after for big band, small ensemble and solo performances. His trumpet has taken him around the world, including South America, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. Parker leads the Trumpet Mafia and has played with legendary artists Aretha Franklin, Ellis Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, Delfeayo Marsalis, Herlin Riley, Roland Guerin, Leroy Jones, Derek Douget, Adonis Rose, Dr. John, Karl Denson, Igor Butman, Nicholas Payton, Rafael Saadiq, Dee Dee Bridgewater, the O’Jays and more. He is a Grammy Award-winning artist and has played on more than 30 albums with several featured solos.

Special thanks to National Underground Railroad Freedom Center President and Chief Operating Officer Woodrow “Woody” Keown, Jr. for working with CCM Jazz on this concert. Special thanks to Laura Gentry and Jazz Alive for sponsoring and setting up in-school community outreach programs for Cincinnati Public Schools.

The Mardi Gras in New Orleans concert video is produced by CCM Digital in association with Joel Crawford Recording. Camera and music recording by Joel Crawford. Editing by Lauren Dull and Ryan Stringer. Performance recorded on March 3, 2023 at the Harriet Tubman Theater at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

Learn more about CCM Jazz Learn more about the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Concert Repertoire

Click the links in the titles to watch the performances of each piece or watch the full concert video.

Hullabaloo
Composed and arranged by Alan Baylock
Featuring soloists: Alex Nicodemus, piano; Matthew Wallenhorst, tenor saxophone; Matthew Frazzetto, trombone; Colin Palmieri, alto saxophone; Jack Phillips, trumpet; Zyele Gaither, trombone

Tiger Rag
Composed by Eddie Edwards, Nick LaRocca, Henry Ragas, Tony Sbarbaro, Larry Shields, Harry DeCosta
Arranged by Nicholas Payton
Featuring soloists: guest artist Ashlin Parker, trumpet; Eric Lechliter, trumpet; Matthew Frazzetto, trombone; Alec Yeaste, sousaphone

New Orleans
Composed by Hoagy Carmichael
Arranged by Ed Petersen
Featuring soloists: Emily Jordan, vocals; Ashlin Parker, trumpet

Thanks for the Beautiful Land on the Delta
Composed and arranged by Duke Ellington
Featuring soloist Joseph Ulmer, tenor saxophone

Petite Fleur
Composed by Sydney Bechet
Arranged by Ricardo Pascal
Featuring soloists: Emily Jordan, vocals; Matthew Wallenhorst, soprano saxophone; Ben Troyer, guitar

Mr. Dudley
Composed and arranged by John Fedchock
Featuring soloists: Alec Davis, baritone saxophone; Ashlin Parker, trumpet

Pocono Git Down
Composed and arranged by Rock Hirsch
Featuring soloists: Alec Davis, baritone saxophone; Ben Troyer, guitar; Max Gibson, trumpet; Kaleb Swedlund, alto saxophone; Jack Phillips, trumpet; Alex Nicodemus, piano; Richard Wilson, drums

Harlis Laughing
Composed by Harold Battiste
Arranged by Ed Petersen
Featuring soloists: Ashlin Parker, trumpet; Colin Palmieri, alto saxophone

Beautiful Old Ladies
Composed by Harold Battiste
Arranged by Ed Petersen
Featuring soloists: Ashlin Parker, trumpet; Charlie Merk, trumpet

What a Wonderful World
Composed by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele
Arranged by Ed Petersen
Featuring soloists: Emily Jordan, vocals; Ashlin Parker, trumpet

New Orleans Second Line
Composed and arranged by Duke Ellington
Featuring soloists: Matthew Wallenhorst, clarinet; Charlie Merk, trumpet; Zyele Gaither, trombone

Jazz Orchestra Roster

Scott Belck, music director

Saxophone

Colin Palmieri, lead alto
Kaleb Swedlund, alto
Matthew Wallenhorst, tenor
Joseph Ulmer, tenor
Alec Davis, baritone

Trumpet

Annaleigh Babcock, lead
Max Gibson, split-lead
Max Levowitz*
Jack Phillips
Charlie Merk

Trombone

Matthew Frazzetto, lead*
Zyele Gaither
Bryson Hunt
Alec Yeaste, bass

Rhythm Section

Alex Nicodemus, piano
Ben Troyer, guitar
Alex Frazzetto, bass*
Zach Gutman, bass*
Alex Merk, drums
Richard Wilson, drums
Emily Jordan, vocals*

*Graduate Assistants

What is Juneteenth?

In honor of the federal government’s decision to establish Juneteenth as a day that all Americans celebrate, the University of Cincinnati will observe Monday, June 19, 2023, as a university holiday.

On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free. This day came to be known as Juneteenth, now officially a federal holiday. Juneteenth is a time to celebrate and gather to reflect on the past and look to the future. Learn more about Juneteenth in this interactive digital experience by the National Museum of African American History and Culture: nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth.

Additional Contacts

Curt Whitacre | Director of Marketing/Communications | UC College-Conservatory of Music

whitaccp@ucmail.uc.edu | 513-556-2683

WATCH: CCM Jazz Orchestra performs with Ashlin Parker at Cincinnati's Freedom Center

The March 3 concert recording is now available to watch on demand

What is Juneteenth?

Additional Contacts

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