Traditional Jazz Orchestra playing Jazz at the Duck

The Traditional Jazz Orchestra (TJO) will perform from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. tonight in the Fluttering Duck Lounge. The event is free of charge, and members of the Greencastle community are encouraged to attend.

The TJO plays hot music from the early 20th century when jazz was young -- the music of King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller, and other popular composers from the period. Hot music has an inherent sadness, as well as joy and hope, embedded within its unique sound. This music was produced from a deep human response to the social climate of our country during this extraordinary time in America's growth.

TJO has performed extensively for the past two years. The musicians are all close friends who have performed together for many years. The instrumentation for this group includes clarinet, cornet, trombone, banjo and tuba.

Morgan Powell, trombonist and composer is professor emeritus at the University of Illinois. Morgan also taught at Berklee School of Music and North Texas University.

Jeff Helgesen has been an active performer for over thirty years. He began playing trumpet professionally at the age of 15. He later studied at the University of Illinois. In 1987, Helgesen accepted a position as a featured soloist with the Ray Charles Orchestra, with whom he recorded and toured internationally until late 1990.

Randy Salman is no stranger to the Greencastle community. He is a regular fixture in the music scene and is a professor of Music at DePauw University. Randy has performed in numerous jazz and classical venues throughout the US and abroad. Some of his performances include working with Tony Bennett, Clark Terry, and Kurt Elling. He is also a member of the Smithsonian Institute Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.

Michael Miller has played guitar and tenor banjo in traditional jazz bands since the mid 1970s. Mike has performed with the Memphis Nighthawks, the Chicago Hot Six, the Wrigley Field band and the Jack Webb Jazz Band. He has also performed at the St. Louis River Boat Festival, The Chicago Jazz Festival and the Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival.

Dan Anderson, bassist and tubist, teaches at DePaul University and The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. He performs with The Chicago Brass Quintet, The Milwaukee and Chicago Symphony Orchestras, Von Freeman Jazz Quintet and leads his own Latin jazz ensemble, Basso Nouveau.