DIVA Jazz Orchestra to Perform Nov. 4
Sherrie Maricle and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra will bring their 25th Anniversary Tour to The University of Scranton on Saturday, Nov. 4.
Presented by Performance Music at the University, the concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. inside the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.
Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga said the show is a huge get for Performance Music, given that is a part of their anniversary tour.
“The DIVA 25th anniversary tour is a big thing. We are really excited to be a part of it,” said Boga, who first met Maricle years ago at the COTA Jazz Festival in Delaware Water Gap.
“Sherrie’s a world-class drummer, percussionist, and musician,” said Boga, noting Maricle has previously conducted a rhythm clinic at the University as part of the Scranton Brass Seminar. “She’s so generous with her time and talent, and is a terrific teacher.”
In addition to Maricle, the all-female DIVA is composed of more than a dozen other virtuoso jazz musicians. The group has recorded over a dozen albums of modern big band music, and has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Playboy Jazz Festival, Tanglewood, the Montreal Jazz Festival, Kennedy Center’s “Women in Jazz” concert and Verizon Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Featured in the 2013 documentary, “The Girls in the Band,” the members of DIVA have played with numerous music luminaries, including Skitch Henderson, Dave Brubeck, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Diane Schuur, Carmen Bradford, Marlena Shaw, DeeDee Bridgewater, Rosemary Clooney, Jack Jones, Clark Terry, Dr. Billy Taylor, Terry Gibbs, Tommy Newsom and Randy Brecker. Recently, the group teamed up with tap dancer and vocalist Maurice Hines for the show, “Tappin’ Thru Life.”
In addition to the concert, Maricle and a few other members of DIVA will be teaching instrumental masterclasses at the University earlier that day. The masterclasses are free and open to local amateur and professional musicians, ages 16 and up. Those interested in taking part should email music@scranton.edu for further information.
For more information on the concert, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music. For more on DIVA Jazz Orchestra, visit divajazz.com.