LCCC Civic Jazz Band is back

After a successful return to the stage last fall for its first socially distanced concert, the Lorain County Community College Civic Jazz Band is back for another swinging gig. "My biggest concern going into November's show was how big the audience was going to be and if it would be a viable concert to have considering all of the time it took to put it on," LCCC Civic Jazz Band conductor Jeffrey Meyers said. "While the audience was smaller than what we were used to getting — there were around 75 people in the audience — it was doable and enjoyable. There were enough people that made it worthwhile, so we're doing it again in the exact same configuration." The Lorain County Community College Civic Jazz Band returns for a show Saturday, Feb. 27, at Hoke Theatre. Due to state-mandated protocols, the 988-seat Hoke Theatre can host a 130-member audience. Masks are required for attendees, who as a group will be placed in the middle of three open seats to promote social distancing. "It's the same kind of setup — all jazz combo stuff," Meyers said. "With a little bit more time to plan, we came up with a more well-rounded concert material. We're doing a couple of tunes that are all saxophones and a rhythm section with no trumpets or trombones. "We're also doing a couple of arrangements that gave me the opportunity to arrange some music a little bit. We're doing, like, 'How High The Moon,' 'Funny Valentine' and 'Stompin' At the Savoy' — things that people will recognize. They're just really nice arrangements that I was able to find and prep for this concert." Normally an 18-member outfit, the Civic Jazz Band has to get more creative than usual to adhere to safety protocols. So Meyers and company have planned an evening of small ensembles — featuring horns and piano, bass and drums — in various incarnations. "There are 12 of us playing on this concert with no more than 10 at once on the stage," Meyers said. It's not hyperbole to suggest post-pandemic the whole world is never going to be the same. That also includes the Civic Jazz Band, which not only survived COVID-19 but also successfully opened new doors of presentation that will invariably provide endless opportunities going forward. "I think it gives us a chance to keep these small groups going," Meyers said. "It might even be a situation when we go back to the big band for three concerts a year like we always have but we might have these combo concerts going on in between. "We have a Dixieland band that has gone out into the community and done some performances like when we played at Mardi Gras last year in downtown Lorain. Maybe these groups can go out and play at the public library and things like that where the big band wouldn't fit. That's a good thing." WHO: Lorain County Community College Civic Jazz Band WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 WHERE: Lorain County Community College's Hoke Theatre, 1005 Abbe Road North, Elyria TICKETS: free INFO: (440) 366-4040 or stockerartscenter.com