Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month in April! All are invited to TWO FREE jazz concerts at Bicentennial Park Theatre, featuring jazz guitarist Sam Burns, along with special guests. Both concerts will be held indoors on a Sunday evening, April 13 and April 27 at 7:00 pm. They are free through the generosity of the American Federation of Musicians Local 37 and the Musicians Performance Trust Fund.

The first concert on April 13 at 7:00 pm, will feature Sam Burns and the Heritage Jazz Orchestra of Chicago. This evening, they will recreate the album of big band great, Count Basie. The 27-piece Heritage Jazz Orchestra is one of Chicago’s premier gatherings of jazz musicians. Under the direction of Luke Malewicz, who formed the group in 2016, the orchestra performs regularly at Chicagoland’s top jazz venues like Andy’s Jazz Club, Winter’s Jazz Club and the Jazz Record Art Collective. Besides performing the big band classics from Buddy Rich to Stan Kenton, they are also known for their educational outreach at local high schools and organizations. “We’re honored to have all these talented jazz musicians on our stage for this one night. There’s something magical about the big band sound!” smiles Lori Carmine, Park Manager and City of Joliet’s Cultural Affairs Manager.   

The second free concert is on April 27 at 7:00 pm. All are invited for the album release of Sam Burn’s “The Missing Piece,” featuring his electric jazz band. Sam Burns, who plays guitar on the album, is grateful to all those who made this album possible: Mario Dueñas (keyboards), Gustavo Flores (drums),  Rich Moore(saxophone), and many others on collaborating, engineering and production. Recorded at Joliet Junior College Fine Arts Department, Sam is especially grateful for the music faculty for their encouragement and excellence as he continues his musical studies there, in additions to his professional career. His lifelong gratitude, he gives to his mother for all her support.    


Both concerts will be held indoors. The lobby opens at 6:00 pm. Merchandise, concessions and a cash bar will be available for sale. Both concerts are FREE through the generosity of the American Federation of Musicians Local 37 and the Musicians Performance Trust Fund.  

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is located downtown Joliet at 201 West Jefferson Street. For details, call 815-724-3761 or visitwww.bicentennialpark.org.