Mundelein High School’s Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Orchestra will host an evening of jazz music along with the Jazz Ensemble from Lake Zurich High School and jazz vocalist Kim Nazarian. The free concert is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23 in the MHS Auditorium.

Nazarian is a vocalist, educator and lyricist. For the past 25 years she has been harmonizing around the world with New York Voices (NYV). “Whether I’m singing with the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra or the next up and coming rhythm section, it is an honor to make my living in music,” Nazarian explained. “I do believe it is my mission in this particular lifetime.”

“I think it’s going to be an awesome experience having Kim Nazarian come to work with our band,” said MHS senior, Ryan Burns, who plays the trumpet. “We haven’t had an opportunity to perform vocal jazz before so this is going to be new,” he said.

A few of the tunes that Nazarian will sing with the bands include selections from the songbook of Ella Fitzgerald and Antônio Carlos Jobim including Orange Colored Sky, Cheek to Cheek, So Danco Sambo and more.

“When we’ve been rehearsing one of the vocal tunes, I’ve been performing the vocal part on tenor saxophone,” said Mira Guiritan, junior, saxophonist. “I’m looking forward to hearing how Kim Nazarian adds her own ornaments and styles to the melodies,” she said.

“Working with someone who has had a career as successful as Kim Nazarian is special and I feel lucky to have the opportunity to learn and perform with her,” said Garrett Munz, MHS senior and also saxophone player.

Nazarian will spend the week in the Chicago area working with different musical groups. “We are excited that our students will have the opportunity to not just work with her, but to perform with her as well,” said Andy Sturgeon, who shares directing the MHS band program with Jerald Shelato. Josh Thompson directs the Lake Zurich Jazz Ensemble.