Jazz under the Stars: Jack Schantz Jazz Unit
Saturday, June 5, 2027 – 7:00 pm
Uptown Park, Medina, OH
Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach (ORMACO) kicks off its popular summer Jazz under the Stars concert series with the Jack Schantz Jazz Unit on June 5, 2027 at 7:00 pm.
The Jazz Unit is a group formed in 1976 by trumpeter Jack Schantz who arranges all of the music. Originally conceived as a “pocket big band” featuring an instrumentation of 2 trumpets, two trombones, three saxes and a rhythm section, the Unit has morphed over the years to its present size – an Octet. The band has recorded two CD’s – Choices and The Way of the Sly Man featuring the compositions of Dave Morgan.
The current edition of the Jazz Unit features Brad Wagner, John Orsini, and George Shernit on saxop
hones, Paul Ferguson on trombone, Rock Wehrmann on piano, Aiden Plank on bass, Jim Rupp on drums, and vocalist Barbara Rosene.
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnics to enjoy this free concert. In the event of rain, the concert will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 317 E. Liberty Street, Medina, OH 44256. For more information, call 419-853-6016.
About the Musicians
The Jazz Unit is a group formed in 1976 by Jack Schantz when he was a student at the University of Akron. Originally conceived as a “pocket big band” featuring an instrumentation of 2 trumpets, two trombones, three saxes and rhythm, the Unit has morphed over the years to its present size – an Octet.
For over 15 years, the Jazz Unit held down the Monday night slot at the Bop Stop, first at the original location at 40th and St. Clair, then on West 6th in the Warehouse district, and finally at the current club on Detroit.
The group presented The Grand Wazoo by Frank Zappa at the 2003 Tri-C Jazz Fest with guest soloist Ernie Watts, winning an Award of Achievement from Northern Ohio Live. The following year the Jazz Unit returned to Tri-C to perform the music of Gil Evans and Jimi Hendrix with guest soloist Howard Johnson.
The band has recorded two CD’s – Choices and The Way of the Sly Man featuring the compositions of Dave Morgan. The current edition of the Jazz Unit features Brad Wagner, John Orsini, and George Shernit on saxophones. Paul Ferguson on trombone, Rock Wehrmann on piano, Aiden Plank on bass, and Jim Rupp on drums, and vocalist Barbara Rosene. Jack Schantz has arranged all the music for this group.