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Portland Jazz Orchestra

Since 2005, the 17 members of Portland Jazz Orchestra have come together year-round to present top-caliber orchestral jazz in the unique setting of the concert hall. Portland's first ensemble of this kind, PJO offers diverse, high-quality programs, from the most standard big band charts, to unique arrangements, to brand new works from today's premier jazz composers.

In 2007 Portland Jazz Orchestra was named the first-ever Resident Ensemble of the celebrated Portland Jazz Festival. The partnership between the two organizations creates community outreach opportunities throughout the festival, and enables PJO to perform on a national stage each February.

Additional PJO outreach events include master classes and workshops in the Portland Public Schools, plus performing annually at benefit events for public school jazz programs. Last summer PJO performed at the 2008 Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, a free, family-friendly event near the beautiful St. Johns Bridge.

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Album Review

Portland Jazz Orchestra: Nor'easter

Read "Nor'easter" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello


Although the era of the gig-to-gig road-traveling big band is defunct, save for a few ghost bands, fine regional big bands continue to thrive around the United States. From Los Angeles, killer bands such as Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band and Tom Kubis's and Gary Urwin's respective ensembles, to the East Coast where groups such as Tommy Igoe's Birdland Band, the Westchester Jazz Orchestra, Keith Pray's ensemble, Kenny Hadley's and others still fill venues with swinging jazz. The road may ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Nor'easter

Unknown label
2010

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