The DePaul Jazz Ensemble, which has been a staple of the Jazz Showcase lineup for years, makes its last appearance at the fabled music venue Oct. 23, with performances at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. The highly acclaimed student band, partnered by guest clarinetist Larry Combs, will premier an arrangement penned by Jazz Studies faculty member Thomas Matta.

For sixty years, the Jazz Showcase has been the leading destination to hear live jazz in Chicago. Now the club on West Grand Avenue has lost its lease. Showcase operators Joe and Wayne Segal have been major supporters of the DePaul Jazz Ensemble over the years, according to bandleader and Jazz Studies Chair Robert Lark.

Boasting a reputation as one of the finest collegiate bands in the country, the DePaul Jazz Ensemble has developed a sound all its own. It has a loyal and enthusiastic following throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and beyond. In recent years the band has been invited to play and record with top jazz artists including Bobby Shew, Bob Brookmeyer, Tom Harrell, Louie Bellson, Clark Terry and Phil Woods.

This is the first time Larry Combs is performing with the band. Best known as the long-time and much-admired principal clarinet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Combs has always played jazz on the side throughout his performing life.

A DePaul faculty member since 1981, Combs admits that “when I am at DePaul teaching my clarinet students, I sometimes sneak downstairs to observe the band rehearsing and am always impressed with the level of professionalism and virtuosity they display.”

General admission for the Oct. 23 performances at the Jazz Showcase, 59 W. Grand Ave. in Chicago, is $10. Admission for DePaul students with valid identification is $5.

As always, the DePaul Jazz Ensemble will present a full calendar of public performances throughout the current academic year. Particularly notable is an April 24 scheduled appearance at HotHouse, 31 E. Balbo St., with guest pianist, composer and arranger Jim McNeely. This performance will be recorded by StudioChicago the following day, April 25, with DePaul sound recording program faculty chair Tom Miller engineering the studio recording session.

Additionally, the Jazz Ensemble will present performances at several area high schools this year, including Lincolnway East in Frankfort, Ill. Feb. 2; St. Patrick High School in Chicago Feb. 9; and Badger High School in Lake Geneva, Wisc. Feb. 17.

For tickets and information: Jazz Showcase: 312/670-2473; HotHouse: 312/362-9707; DePaul School of Music: 773/325-7260.