'Jazzin' Around' Together: Oakton Faculty, Niles North Band To Perform

SKOKIE, IL — The Niles North High School jazz band is joining forces with the music faculty of Oakton College for a concert next month.

Dubbed "Jazzin' Around," the joint performance is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Feb. 2 at Oakton's Footlik Theater, 1600 E. Golf Road, in Des Plaines.

The concert will follow a day of jazz workshops for young musicians led by teachers from the local public community college, who will work closely with high schoolers on jazz interpretation and performing in large jazz ensembles.

The Friday evening concert begins with the Niles North jazz band, featuring 31 students under the direction of bank director Mike Moehlmann. According to organizers, the ensemble has grown to its largest since Moehlmann took over seven years ago.

Student musicians in the band, who range from freshman to seniors, have been awarded multiple soloist awards at events like the Jazz in the Meadows, the Midwest's largest annual student jazz festival.

Music instructor Mark Olen, the director of Oakton's jazz ensemble, will then play trumpet and flugelhorn and lead a performance with his fellow faculty members.

Olen will be joined by Dennis Carroll on bass, Tom Clippert on guitar, Jeremy Kash on piano, Tim McNamara on tenor saxophone and flute and Bret Sher on drums, according to organizers.

Tickets are $8 for general admission and $6 for students and seniors and can be purchased online or by phone.