The DePaul Jazz Ensemble will perform and record a live compact disc with trumpeter Tom Harrell at the Jazz Showcase and host saxophonist Joe Lovano at its annual "Jazz Is For Lovers Concert" at the Merle Reskin Theater during its 1999-2000 season.

"We have really hit our stride this year with significant performance events each quarter," said Bob Lark, director of the ensemble and head of the Jazz Studies Program at DePaul University’s School of Music. "The students are especially looking forward to the performances and live recording at the Jazz Showcase, the premier jazz venue in Chicago."

The ensemble’s concert/recording session with trumpeter-composer-arranger Harrell will take place during 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. public performances on May 2, 3 and 4 at the Jazz Showcase, 59 W. Grand Ave. The "Jazz is For Lovers" concert begins at 8 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Reskin Theater, 60 E. Balbo Drive.

The highly talented members of ensemble, chosen each year from DePaul’s Jazz Program, have performed with a variety well-known jazz artists during the last decade, including Byron Stripling, James Moody, Nancy Wilson, Clark Terry, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. The band has recorded three commercial CDs with well-known musicians on the Reference Recordings label: "Ebony Concerto" with Chicago Symphony Orchestra clarinetist John Bruce Yeh; "Big Band Basie," with trumpeter Terry and saxophonist Frank Wess; and "Clark Terry Express" with Terry.

In addition to these commercial recordings, Lark arranges for the band to record an annual CD that serves primarily as an educational and recruiting tool, although the recordings are also available for purchase at select Chicago music retailers. To celebrate his 10th year leading the band, Lark arranged for the annual CD project to be a live recording of the ensemble’s concerts with Harrell at the Jazz Showcase. "Recording live will add an extra edge to the performance because the students know they can’t fix anything afterwards," said Lark, a trumpet player and music professor. "The enthusiasm of the audience also will bring something extra to the recording and the performance."

The ensemble’s season includes several other performances at the Jazz Showcase.

On Oct. 25 they will headline shows at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

On Nov. 13, the ensemble perform with tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, trumpeters Claudio Roditi and Ira Sullivan, and the winner and runner-up of the 1999 Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition, who will be named earlier in the day. The 7 p.m. concert is the final event of the competition that will begin at noon at the Jazz Showcase. Turrentine, Roditi and Sullivan will judge the competition, which features live performances by five trumpet finalists who were selected for the final round from audition tapes. The first place contestant receives a $7,000 award and the second place finisher wins a $3,000 prize.

The ensemble returns to the Jazz Showcase on Dec. 14 and 15 to perform at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. with legendary drummer Louis Bellson.

For more information on DePaul Jazz Ensemble’s Jazz Showcase performances, call (312) 670-BIRD. For information on the Feb. 5 "Jazz is for Lovers" concert sponsored by DePaul’s School of Music, call (773) 325-7664.