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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

headshot of Rebecca Butts By Rebecca Butts 513-556-2675
5 minute read June 16, 2023

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

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

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

| 513-556-2683

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