The “Big Gig” showcases the Louisville Leopard Percussionists, the unique music education program created by award-winning educator Diane Downs. This performing ensemble is comprised of approximately 60 musicians ages 7-12 from neighborhoods across Metro Louisville. The ensemble plays jazz, classical, ragtime, Latin jazz, pop and original compositions on a full range of percussion instruments. Among the Leopards' many accomplishments, they had the honor of opening for world-renowned jazz pianist Chick Corea at the International Association of Jazz Education conference in Manhattan, performed at the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival in Washington DC, opened for My Morning Jacket and have recorded four CD's. The Leopards are the feature of an HBO documentary, The Leopards Take Manhattan: The Little Band that Roared. Most recently, the ensemble performed at the Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans. Music lovers of all ages should not miss this chance to see the Leopards in action!