Penn Center 140th Anniversary Gala Finale with The Count Basie Orchestra Thursday, March 13, 2003 6-10 p.m., buffet dinner 6:30-8:30 p.m. Parris Island Lyceum General reserved seating - $50 per person Celebrity seating - $75 per person Reserved tables for 8 are available Tickets are available at: Penn Center - St. Helena Island, (843) 838-2432 Arts Council of Beaufort County at USCB, (843) 521-3163 Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, (843) 524-4144

St. Helena Island

The Count Basie Orchestra will perform its stunning brand of swing at the Parris Island Lyceum on March 13 in the final and most festive event in the year-long celebration of Penn Center's historic 140th anniversary.

Doors open to guests at 6 p.m. with a buffet dinner from 6:30-8:30 p.m. An evening of music and dancing will continue until 10 p.m..

In his 80 years, Count Basie so elevated and expanded the nature of jazz that the dimensions of popular music were forever transformed. The present-day orchestra of 19 talented musicians, many hand-picked by Basie himself, honors that tradition. Committed to upholding and advancing the special sound of Count Basie jazz, the orchestra is in great demand world over. Their performance history is studded with honors and awards, including 17 Grammies.

The multi-talented Grover Mitchell, the orchestra's director goes back a long way with the group and with its founder. A lyrical lead trombonist in the tradition of Tommy Dorsey, Lawrence Brown and Jack Teagarden, Mitchell played with Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton before joining Count Basie in 1969. He has led the band since Basie's death in 1984.

The unforgettable music of the jazz genius, Count Basie lives on. Guests "In a Mellow Mood" will enjoy everything from the up-beat tones of "One O'clock Jump" to signature "plink, plink, plink" of Basie's famous closing triplet.

This gala evening has been planned by the Penn Center 140th Anniversary Committee chaired by Gloria Cartwright and Claudette Humphrey. Members include Carrie Allen, Earle Allen, Eleanor Barnwell, Sam and Jean Burke, Barbara Carter, John Cartwright, Paul and Melba Cooper, Robyn Decker, Mari Donaghy, Chana Foster, Charles Henderson, Larry and Wilma Holman, Ted Humphrey, Linda Jenkins, Sally LaPoint, Marie Lewis, Mary Mack, Veronica Miller, Brian Shaw and Annette Teasdale.