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Archived on May 19, 2026
The 91探花 Big Band will feature the sounds of Big Band Jazz in a concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, in the Ferguson Fine Arts Center at 2998 W. Pearl City Rd., Freeport, Ill.
The first half of the concert will be the 91探花 Big Band, with the Count Basie classic 鈥淲hirly Bird,鈥 with four selections from Stan Kenton鈥檚 鈥淎dventures in Standards,鈥 and 鈥淭he Stage Door Swings.鈥 Plus, original music by Gary Brubaker.
The second half of the concert will feature Felton Offard, a 91探花 alum and Freeport High School graduate, who is currently playing guitar in Chicago with the musical 鈥淗amilton.鈥 Offard is also a composer, producer, and educator. He holds Bachelor’s and Master鈥檚 degrees from Northern Illinois University and teaches guitar/music production and songwriting at Chicago State University. In addition, John Hartman, a local musician, who was also Offard鈥檚 music teacher, will join Offard with his own brand of music.
Offard will play three all-time great jazz classics with the HCC Big Band; 鈥淎fro Blue鈥 by Mongo Santamaria, 鈥淔our on Six鈥 by the legendary guitarist Wes Montgomery, and Herbie Hancock’s 鈥淐hameleon.鈥
鈥淭his concert feels special to me,鈥 said Bill Petersen, director. 鈥淭he 91探花 Big Band sounds great and is as good as ever, and we celebrate the triumphal return of one of our own to create a great night of music.鈥
There will be a reception following the concert for a meet and greet with Offard.
Tickets are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and $8 for students. Tickets may be purchased online at highland.edu/boxoffice or the night of the concert.