These aren’t just words—they’re the heartbeat and the values of the College of Lake County. We’re dedicated to providing equitable, high-quality education, cultural enrichment, and meaningful partnership building with the diverse communities we’re honored to serve. In the Communication Arts Division, we truly believe that the arts have the power to reflect the world around us, inspire change through the sharing of stories and experiences, and, especially, bring people together to do great things.

I’m so excited to welcome you to a new season filled with creativity, learning and connection. This year’s lineup is bursting with opportunities to experience music, theater, dance and visual arts that will uplift and inspire you. Visit the Wright Community Gallery for stunning art exhibits, or immerse yourself in our film and literary series. We also offer free community workshops and events that are open to everyone — there’s something for every taste and interest! Each experience highlights the amazing talent at CLC and within our local community.

But it doesn’t stop there! Whether you’re drawn to literature, creative writing, communication studies, digital media, philosophy, the humanities, world languages or the visual
and performing arts, we offer a wide variety of courses designed to enrich your life. Whether you’re here for personal growth, working toward a certificate, or pursuing a degree, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

We know that “Together, we are E.P.I.C., U. and I.”

To learn more about performing and visual arts opportunities, use the QR code at the bottom of the page or visit www.clcillinois.edu/arts-opportunities.

I’m so glad you’re here at the College of Lake County. We can’t wait to share this journey with you and see where your passion leads!

Enjoy the show!

Stephanie Santos Gray
Interim Dean of Communication Arts,
Humanities, and Fine Arts

CLC Land Acknowledgement Statement

We respectfully acknowledge that the College of Lake County is on the ancestral homelands of the Kickapoo, Peoria, Potawatomi and other native peoples. We recognize the longstanding significance of these lands for indigenous peoples past, present and future. Historical awareness of indigenous exclusion and erasure is critically important to preventing further atrocities. The College of Lake County pledges to acknowledge the grave injustices of the past and pledges to create awareness and advance education that invites truth.

Program: Tuesday Night Ensemble

TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Program

Joseph Ott – Director

La Suerte de los Tontos
Composed by Johnny Richards
Arranged by Victor López

Chu Cho
Composed by Paquito D’Rivera
Transcribed by Myles Collins

La Cucaracha (Prado)
Traditional
Transcribed by Myles Collins

La Cucaracha (Herman)
Traditional
Arranged by Billy May

Limbo Jazz
Composed by Duke Ellington
Arranged by David Berger

Coconut Champagne
Composed by Denis DiBlasio
Arranged by Victor López

Musicians: Tuesday Night Ensemble

TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Joe Ott – Director

SAXOPHONES
Tony Licocci – Alto
Steve Loerch – Alto
Sam Rivera – Tenor
Marjorie Newman – Tenor
Megan Gabler – Baritone

TRUMPETS
A.C. Buehler
Paul Hawn
Paul Velez
Jim Martin
Gary Gerlach
Sam Licocci

TROMBONES
Jeff Slepak
Jackie Graham
Louis Thoms
Alan Gerlach

RHYTHM SECTION
Kai Funahashi – Piano
Alan Schramm - Guitar
Jess Smith – Bass
Rich Bothmann – Drumset
Jill Unrein – Drumset
Adam Gerlach - Drumset

Program: Monday Night Ensemble

MONDAY NIGHT JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Program

Michael Flack – Director
Michael Rodriguez – Guest Artist

On Purple Porpoise Parkway
Composed by Tom Kubis
Featuring Trumpeter Michael Rodriguez: Program to be selected from the following:

There Is No Greater Love
Composed by Isham Jones
Arranged by Gordon Brisker

Small Feats
Composed by Ron Miller
Arranged by Michael Rodriguez

Body and Soul
Composed by Johnnie Green
Arranged by Herb Phillips

Pathways
Composed by Michael Rodriguez

Spring Is Here
Composed by Richard Rodgers
Arranged by Michael Rodriguez

The Song Is You
Composed by Jerome Kern
Arranged by Bob Ojeda

Musicians: Monday Night Ensemble

MONDAY NIGHT JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Michael Flack – Director

SAXOPHONES
Mike Garippo – Alto
Kai Funahashi – Alto
Joe Ott – Tenor
Alan Schramm – Tenor
Kurt Anderson – Baritone

TRUMPETS
Bryan Grabowski
Mitch Warren
Mark Zar
Tom Forkenbrock
Andre Rivera

TROMBONES
Dave Johnson
Evan Lyons
Rick Simmons
Tracy Nielsen
Joe Kuzmanoff

RHYTHM SECTION
Thomas Power – Guitar
Bill Chapin – Piano
Paul Nielsen – Bass
Dan Prowse – Drumset
John Nelson – Drumset

About Michael Rodriguez

GRAMMY® award winning trumpeter/composer Michael Rodriguez was born on July 14, 1979 in Queens, New York. Michael was inspired to pursue music as a career by his father, drummer Roberto Rodriguez. Michael studied at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida where he grew up and continued his studies at The University of Miami. After completing two years at The University of Miami, he decided to transfer to the New School University in New York where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree.

Michael has performed and toured with Clark Terry, Bobby Watson, Quincy Jones, Joe Lovano, Toshiko Akiyoshi Orchestra, pop icon Jessica Simpson, Chico O’Farill Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra and is a member of Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra. Michael has also performed and traveled with Jon Faddis and The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Carla Bley Band and Quintet, Kenny Barron’s Quintet, Conrad Herwig Latin Side Projects, Clayton Brothers Quintet, Harry Connick Jr., Bob Mintzer, Eddie Palmieri Septet, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and The Spanish Heart Band, and the Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra.

In December of 2003, Michael recorded on Charlie Haden’s GRAMMY® Award winning album featuring Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Joe Lovano titled Land of the Sun. Michael has also recorded on Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra’s album titled Not in our Name and is featured on America the Beautiful and Dvorak’s Going Home. In 2008, Michael became a member of the Gonzalo Rubalcaba Quintet and recorded Avatar under the Blue Note label. In 2019, Michael joined Chick Corea’s Spanish Heart Band and won a GRAMMY® for Best Latin Jazz album in 2020.

Michael and his brother, pianist/composer Robert Rodriguez have recorded four albums together: Introducing the Rodriguez Brothers, Conversations, Mood Swing and Impromptu which was nominated for a GRAMMY® for Best Latin Jazz Album in 2015.

Michael is currently on the faculty at New York University and travels the globe as a clinician. In March of 2013, he released his debut solo recording under the Crisscross label titled Reverence. His new recording is titled Pathways under the label Rodbrosmusic, which Is co-owned by he and his brother.

History of Art of Jazz

48 YEARS OF “ART OF JAZZ”
GUEST ARTIST CONCERTS AT COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY
Bruce Mack, Director of Bands (1977-2004)
Michael Flack, Director of Bands (2004-Present)

Year Jazz Ensemble
1977-1978 Rich Matteson - Euphonium

1978-1979 Roger Pemberton - Woodwinds

1979-1980 Clark Terry - Trumpet & Flugelhorn

1980-1981 Louie Bellson - Drumset
Doug Beach - Trumpet
James Boitos - Saxophone

1981-1982 Dominic Spera - Trumpet
Gary Foster - Woodwinds
Scott Bliege - Trombone

1982-1983 Rich Matteson - Euphonium

1983-1984 Roger Pemberton - Woodwinds
Phil Wilson - Trombone

1984-1985 Frank Mantooth - Piano
Bill Sears - Alto Saxophone
Jack Mouse - Drums
Kelly Sill - Bass
Mike Steinel - Trumpet

1985-1986 Bill Porter - Trombone

1986-1987 Carl Fontana - Trombone

1987-1988 John Campbell - Piano

1988-1989 Conte Candoli - Trumpet

1989-1990 Pete Christlieb - Tenor Saxophone

1990-1991 Ed Shaughnessy - Drums

1991-1992 Louie Bellson - Drums

1992-1993 Bobby Shew - Trumpet
Denis DiBlasio - Baritone Saxophone & Flute

1993-1994 Bill Watrous - Trombone

1994-1995 Marvin “Smitty” Smith - Drumset

1995-1996 Marvin Stamm - Trumpet

1996-1997 Eddie Daniels - Clarinet

1997-1998 Bill Prince, Multi-Instrumentalist
David Bandman - Trombone

1998-1999 Marvin “Smitty” Smith - Drumset

1999-2000 Brienn Perry - Vocalist
Frieda Lee - Vocalist

2000-2001 Byron Stripling - Trumpet & Vocalist

2001-2002 David Bandman - Trombone & Euphonium

2002-2003 John Allred - Trombone & Euphonium

2003-2004 Byron Stripling - Trumpet & Vocalist

2004-2005 Tom “Bones” Malone - Trombone

2005-2006 Allen Vizzutti - Trumpet
Ernie Watts - Tenor Saxophone

2006-2007 Conrad Herwig - Trombone

2007-2008 Dick Oatts - Alto & Soprano Saxophones
Chuck Findley - Trumpet

2008-2009 Joe LaBarbera - Drumset
Andy Martin - Trombone

2009-2010 Bob Ojeda - Trumpet
Nick Schneider - Bass
Bob Rummage - Drumset

2010-2011 Chris Vadala - Woodwinds
Tony Purrone - Guitar

2011-2012 Bobby Shew - Trumpet
Wayne Bergeron - Trumpet

2012-2013 Alan Broadbent - Composer & Pianist
Bill Prince - Multi-Instrumentalist

2013-2014 Carl Saunders - Trumpet
Bob McChesney - Trombone

2014-2015 Matt Harris - Composer & Pianist
Rufus Reid - Composer & Bass

2015-2016 John Von Ohlen - Drumset
Tom Garling - Composer & Trombone

2016-2017 Ernie Watts - Tenor Saxophone
Terell Stafford - Trumpet

2017-2018 Jeff Hamilton - Drumset
Mark Colby - Tenor Saxophone

2018-2019 John Fedchock - Composer & Trombone
Dan Fornero - Trumpet

2019-2020 Mike Tomaro - Composer & Tenor Saxophone
Randy Waldman - Composer, Producer, Pianist & Conductor

2020-2021 Pandemic

2021-2022 Pandemic

2022-2023 Bill Cunliffe - Pianist & Composer
Steve Wiest - Trombone & Composer

2023-2024 Tim Hagans - Trumpet & Composer
Jeff Coffin - Saxophone & Composer

2024-2025 Michael Rodriguez - Trumpet & Composer
Kristin Korb - Bass & Vocalist

CLC Dance: Winter Dance Concert - Nov. 22-23

^{This Thanksgiving season, CLC Dance celebrates
the traditions that bind us together with a
diverse array of dance, spoken word and video works.}

^{BUY TICKETS for the Winter Dance Concert}

CLC Music: December Holiday Concerts

Celebrate the Season at the JLC!

CLC Music presents several holiday concerts
this December on the JLC Mainstage.

BUY TICKETS for CLC Music Concerts

College of Lake County Board of Trustees

Torrie Mark Newsome, J.D.
Chair
Elected term: 2021-2025

Paul G. Virgilio, B.S., S.E., P.E.
Vice Chair
Elected term: 2021-2027

Allena Barbato, J.D., L.M.F.T.
Secretary
Elected term: 2023-2029

William M. Griffin, Ed.D.
Elected term: 2023-2029

Amanda D. Howland, J.D.
Elected term: 2021-2027

Julie B. Shroka, M.A.
Elected term: 2019-2025

Vacancy
Elected term: 2021-2027

Sulma Teruel
Student Trustee
Elected term: 2024-2025

Lori Suddick, Ed.D.
President

Trustees Emeriti

Richard A. Anderson, J.D.
William M. Griffin, Ed.D. (2021-2023)
Patricia Jones, M.Ed.
Barbara D. Oilschlager, M.Ed.

Lake County Symphony Orchestra: "Welcome Christmas" - Dec. 14

The acclaimed Lake County Symphony Orchestra will perform Samuel Barber's "Die Natalie," a set of variations on well-known Christmas carols. Additionally, the esteemed ensemble will perform Alfred Reed's "Russian Christmas Music," a cherished masterwork based on the ancient Christmas carol, "Carol of the Little Russian Children."

Buy Tickets for Lake County Symphony Orchestra's
"Welcome Christmas"

Ruth Page's THE NUTCRACKER - Dec. 21 & 22

The perennial holiday classic returns
to the JLC Mainstage for three performances ...
perfect fare for the entire family!

BUY TICKETS for Ruth Page's "The Nutcracker"

New Orleans Songbook: Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents -- March 23

A captivating evening of virtuosic vocals and musicianship.
You’ll hear the timeless songs of the Crescent City,
including Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and Ellis Marsalis.

Join us as Jazz at Lincoln Center brings the soul of New Orleans
and the spirit of Mardi Gras to the stage in a
joyous celebration of innovative and inspired music.

Buy Tickets for New Orleans Songbook:
Jazz at Lincoln Center