Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra's 2010-11 season blends music, dancing, movies and art

Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra celebrates its sweet 16 with a series of shows in the coming year.

Since its inception in 1995, "We have grown from occasionally presenting music ... into a permanent ensemble performing year-round, playing all kinds of great jazz," said executive director and co-artistic director Michael Brockman. The jazz orchestra is "firing on all cylinders, and we are looking forward to our next 15 years."

The concerts in Seattle and Kirkland are themed "Dancing Til Dusk," "Jazz Goes to the Movies," "A Tribute to Benny Goodman," "The Zen of Ten" and "Jazz of the Harlem Renaissance — Featuring the Paintings of Jacob Lawrence."

General tickets are $21 to $39, but cheaper for fans 25 and younger — $15. For tickets and info: 206-523-6159 or www.srjo.org.

"Dancing Til Dusk": The orchestra plays big-band music for a free dance at the Olympic Sculpture Park. 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9.

"Jazz Goes to the Movies": A musical journey through 70 years of movies with soundtracks from "Mission: Impossible," "The Pink Panther," "Black Orpheus," Quincy Jones' "Soul Bossa Nova" from "Austin Powers" and Duke Ellington's "I'm Gonna Go Fishin' " from "Anatomy of a Murder." 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at Benaroya Hall in Seattle, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7 at Kirkland Performance Center.

"A Tribute to Benny Goodman": A show recognizing the work of the "King of Swing" with several hits from the Goodman Orchestra, such as "Let's Dance" and "King Porter Stomp," as well as works by Goodman's famous arrangers Fletcher Henderson and Eddie Sauter. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, Benaroya Hall, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at Kirkland Performance Center.

"The Zen of Ten": This concert is all about "chamber jazz," with arrangements and compositions by Jimmy Heath, Gerry Mulligan, Marty Paich, Seattle composer Bob Hammer and Michael Brockman. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Benaroya Hall, and 7 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at Kirkland Performance Center.

"Jazz of the Harlem Renaissance — Featuring the Paintings of Jacob Lawrence": A joint presentation by the jazz orchestra and Seattle Art Museum, featuring big-band pieces by composers such as Duke Ellington and Harlem Renaissance-era paintings by Seattle and New York-based painter Jacob Lawrence. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at Benaroya Hall, and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at Kirkland Performance Center.

Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com