In the pantheon of American jazz, few musicians are as iconic as Ella Fitzgerald. In tribute to the centennial of her birth, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra opens its 2017-18 Pops series with "A cELLAbration: The Music of Ella & More." Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik and the orchestra will be joined by a talented cadre of featured soloists, including vocalist Carmen Bradford — formerly of the Count Basie Orchestra — vibraphonist Joe Locke and saxophonist Brian Scanlon, both Eastman School alumni, and the RPO's own Herb Smith on trumpet. In addition to highlighting Fitzgerald classics, the busy program also showcases RPO bassist Jeff Campbell, as well as concertmaster Juliana Athayde performing an excerpt from Tyzik's "Jazz Concerto for Violin and Orchestra."

"A cELLAbration" takes place Friday, September 15, and Saturday, September 16, at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs Street. 8 p.m. $24-$110. 454-2100; rpo.org.