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Westchester Jazz Orchestra: Dobbs Ferry, NY, September 29, 2012
by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
Westchester Jazz OrchestraMaster's SchoolDobbs Ferry, NYSeptember 29, 2012The much-acclaimed Westchester Jazz Orchestra (WJO) opened its 10th season with a program called West Side Stories, based on that brilliant and timeless 1957 Broadway musical by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. In keeping with the WJO's ongoing educational objectives, the concert began with a conversation among four of the evening's arrangers: WJO's artistic director and conductor, pianist Mike Holober, trombonist Pete McGuiness, trumpeter Tony Kadleck, and pianist ...
read moreWestchester Jazz Orchestra: Maiden Voyage Suite
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Imagine a painter, sculptor or writer attempting to recreate a masterpiece done by a Picasso, Michelangelo or Shakespeare. The task redefines challenge and chutzpah. While jazz recreations are more common than those in other arts--Clark Terry and the Chicago Jazz Orchestra's marvelous revisit (Americana Music, 2004) of the Miles Davis/Gil Evans' Porgy and Bess (Columbia, 1958), for example--little recreated music has equaled the excellence of its original source material better than the Westchester Jazz Orchestra's Maiden Voyage Suite.In ...
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by Dan McClenaghan
Maiden Voyage (Blue Note, 1965) was a classic quintet recording from pianist Herbie Hancock, a concept album with the sea as the theme. With a clear view in hindsight, The Westchester Jazz Orchestra's re-imagination of that timeless music with Maiden Voyage Suite seems a natural. The sound of the original had oceanic ebb and flow, from gentle and tidal to turbulent and stormy, and the added harmonics of the multiple brass and reeds enhances this atmospheric.At the time ...
read moreWestchester Jazz Orchestra: All In
by Edward Blanco
The Westchester Jazz Orchestra (WJO) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2002 to promote jazz within Westchester County, New York through jazz education outreach programs and the performance of classic standards and commissioned pieces in a series of concerts. All In is the group's debut album containing a repertoire of several jazz standards and one pop classic. A welcome addition to the big band genre, the album was recently named among the best CDs of 2007 by WBGO's Upbeat radio ...
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by Michael P. Gladstone
This is the first release from an organization that is now in its fifth year. The Westchester Jazz Orchestra (WJO) is a collective ensemble that consists of well-known jazzmen that live, work or play in this northern suburb of New York City. Many of these members have a significant number of their own albums, and represent working experience with some of the best of today's contemporary jazz big bands.
What is perhaps best about the album ...
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by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
All In is a crackling-good big band CD. It's the recording debut of the seventeen-piece Westchester Jazz Orchestra (WJO), which was founded in 2003, and it's a corker. [Note for non-locals: an easy commute to the clubs, stages and studios of New York City, Westchester (County) is home to a growing number of eminent jazz folk, like many in the WJO.]
The band is first-rate, the solos world-class, the arrangements fresh and imaginative. Special favorites include ...
read moreWestchester Jazz Orchestra Performs Greatest Hits On December 1st -- Multi-grammy-winner Alan Broadbent To Guest Conduct
Source:
Emily Tabin
Westchester, NY – The 16-piece Westchester Jazz Orchestra has risen to prominence for their “stunning performances” and “brilliant ensemble playing” (Jazz Journal) — and for the 150-plus new arrangements commissioned by the group. On Saturday, December 1, WJO will treat fans to the best of these works in “10th Season Retrospective: Our Greatest Hits.” Jazz radio personality Gary Walker will host the concert, which begins at 8pm at the Irvington Town Hall Theater, Irvington, NY. While Artistic Director Mike Holober ...
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Westchester Jazz Orchestra Begins Milestone 10th Season On September 29th -- West Side Story Inspires Opening Concert In Dobbs Ferry
Source:
Emily Tabin
Westchester, NY: A runner up for “Best Big Band” in the national JazzTimes readers’ poll, the Westchester Jazz Orchestra has made its mark creating and performing their engaging and exquisite repertoire. To kick off the group’s milestone 10th season, WJO will put a big band spin on Leonard Bernstein’s musical West Side Story." Jazz radio personality Gary Walker will serve as MC for the September 29th performance, which begins at 8 PM at the Masters School, 49 Clinton Avenue, Dobbs ...
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Westchester Jazz Orchestra To Perform Bossa! Tango! Flamenco! On January 28 In Irvington
Source:
Emily Tabin
Music of South America and Spain showcased by world-class group Westchester, NYThe Westchester Jazz Orchestra"the best we've had since those wonderful aggregations headed by Duke Ellington, Count Basie" (JazzScan.com)will perform Bossa! Tango! Flamenco! on Saturday, January 28 at 8 PM at the Irvington Town Hall Theater, 85 Main Street, Irvington, NY. WBGO's Gary Walker is set to host the concert. Two years ago, WJO performed a program of South American music. The band played to a packed house and standing ...
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Westchester Jazz Orchestra To Perform Piano Masters Concert On December 3 In Irvington
Source:
Emily Tabin
"You must make it your business to see . . . WJO . . . this year," concluded the Huffington Post's review of the Westchester Jazz Orchestra's season opener in September. Music fans will have an opportunity to follow that directive as the sixteen-piece big band continues their season with Master Keys: The Music of Bill Evans, Ahmad Jamal and Herbie Hancock on Sat., Dec. 3, 8pm, at the Irvington Town Hall Theater. Gary Walker, Music Director and Morning Show ...
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Hudson River Meets Jazz in World Premiere by Westchester Jazz Orchestra April Concert in Irvington to Feature Musical Journey Down the River
Source:
Michael Ricci
Irvington, NY - The 16-musician Westchester Jazz Orchestra will take a musical voyage down the Hudson River in April with the world premiere of a three-movement suite inspired by locations on the River. The concert, titled Americana," will take place on Saturday, April 10 at 8 PM at the Irvington Town Hall Theater, 85 Main Street in Irvington, just a few blocks east of the Hudson. Reserved seating tickets are $35, $30 for seniors, $5 for students. westjazzorch.org, Irvington Theater ...
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Westchester Jazz Orchestra to Perform Bossa Novas and Tangos on January 30 in Irvington Music of South America Featured by Premier Group
Source:
Michael Ricci
Westchester, NY - The 16-piece Westchester Jazz Orchestra is a local orchestra with a national reputation for excellence. On Sat., Jan. 30, this world-class big band will perform From Bossa to Tango: Sounds of South America at 8 PM at the Irvington Town Hall Theater, 85 Main Street, Irvington, NY. WBGO's Gary Walker is set to host the concert. WJO's debut CD, All In, thrust WJO into the national spotlight. The CD made multiple Best CDs" lists, was celebrated by ...
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Westchester Jazz Orchestra to Perform Music of Sax Masters in Irvington on Dec 5
Source:
Michael Ricci
Westchester, NY - Fresh from their sold-out September concert featuring guitarist John Scofield, the Westchester Jazz Orchestra will perform Sax Masters: The Music of Coltrane, Cannonball, Bird and More" at 8 PM on Sat., Dec. 5 at the Irvington Town Hall Theater, 85 Main Street, Irvington, NY. (Snow date Sun., Dec.6, 7 PM.) Gary Walker, Music Director and Morning Show Host at WBGO-FM, is set to host the concert. Reserved seating tickets are $35, $30 for seniors, $5 for students. ...
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Westchester Jazz Orchestra Kicks Off Sixth Season on September 26 with John Scofield
Source:
Michael Ricci
Westchester, NY -- World-renowned and multi-Grammy-winning jazz saxophonist Joe Lovano calls the Westchester Jazz Orchestra one of the hippest bands on the scene today. This extraordinary group will begin their 2009-10 season with a special guest, guitarist John Scofield, at 8 PM on Sat., Sept. 26 at the Irvington Town Hall Theater, 85 Main Street, Irvington, NY. A pre-concert talk with Mr. Scofield will begin at 7:15.
Gary Walker, Music Director and Morning Show Host at WBGO-FM, is set to ...
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WJO Names Andrew Morris to Board of Directors
Source:
All About Jazz
Westchester, NY -- Emily Tabin, Executive Director of the Westchester Jazz Orchestra, announced that Andrew Morris has been elected to WJO's Board of Directors. Mr. Morris is President of the financial consulting firm Sycamore Capital Corporation. He graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and recently spearheaded the formation of the Wharton Club of New York Community Partnership Committee, a Wharton alumnae group that provides volunteer consulting services to non-profit organizations. WJO is a world-class local resource ...
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Westchester Jazz Orchestra to Perform Music from the ‘60s in Chappaqua on June 6
Source:
All About Jazz
Westchester, NY – The Westchester Jazz Orchestra is a world-class ensemble that commissions its own arrangements and performs locally, and that is made up of some of America’s finest jazz artists. Members include legendary group leaders as well as seasoned performers who have played and recorded with renowned jazz, rock, Latin, Broadway and pop stars. On Sat., June 6 at 8 PM, this sixteen-piece big band will perform a program of Rock music from the ‘60s at the Seven Bridges ...
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