I'm excited for the HJO performance at The Grape, as it provides an opportunity to showcase the virtuosity and versatility of the HJO musicians.
—Charley Harrison
The Hollywood Jazz Orchestra is coming to The Grape, Ventura's only Jazz Club, Thursday May 23rd @ 7.30 p.m.
The 16 piece Hollywood Jazz Orchestra is led by Conductor, Composer, Arranger Charley Harrison, who has also been the Director of UCLA Jazz Orchestra since 2004.
Over the years, Harrison has had compositions and arrangements performed by Jazz greats, like Kurt Elling, Cedar Walton, Joe Williams and The Count Basie Orchestra. Harrison says “ We will be premiering new work from our composers and arrangers" (Tom Garling, Conrad Herwig and Harrison himself)
Until recently a resident of Ventura, David Payne, Executive Director of HJO, says “We've played sold out concerts at traditional venues like Rochester Jazz Festival, New York and LACMA, but we're looking to bring the Orchestra to venues where no Big Bands have played before" The Hollywood Jazz Orchestra will be playing a concert at The ROXY on Sunset with Grammy-winning Singer-Songwriter Brenda Russell later this year. The first time a Big Band/Jazz Orchestra has played at that historic venue. “We're trying to change the preconceptions and expectations the public has about big band concerts" says Payne “We're not a group of old white guys playing tired arrangements of Ellington, Basie and Dorsey. We rock!! We're going to blow the roof off The Grape"
The Hollywood Jazz Orchestra includes some of L.A's most in demand musicians, including Justo Almario, Gerry Pinter, Clayton Cameron, Les Benedict, Ian Vo, Randall Willis, Anne King, Ann Patterson, and Brian O'Rourke.
The 16 piece Hollywood Jazz Orchestra is led by Conductor, Composer, Arranger Charley Harrison, who has also been the Director of UCLA Jazz Orchestra since 2004.
Over the years, Harrison has had compositions and arrangements performed by Jazz greats, like Kurt Elling, Cedar Walton, Joe Williams and The Count Basie Orchestra. Harrison says “ We will be premiering new work from our composers and arrangers" (Tom Garling, Conrad Herwig and Harrison himself)
Until recently a resident of Ventura, David Payne, Executive Director of HJO, says “We've played sold out concerts at traditional venues like Rochester Jazz Festival, New York and LACMA, but we're looking to bring the Orchestra to venues where no Big Bands have played before" The Hollywood Jazz Orchestra will be playing a concert at The ROXY on Sunset with Grammy-winning Singer-Songwriter Brenda Russell later this year. The first time a Big Band/Jazz Orchestra has played at that historic venue. “We're trying to change the preconceptions and expectations the public has about big band concerts" says Payne “We're not a group of old white guys playing tired arrangements of Ellington, Basie and Dorsey. We rock!! We're going to blow the roof off The Grape"
The Hollywood Jazz Orchestra includes some of L.A's most in demand musicians, including Justo Almario, Gerry Pinter, Clayton Cameron, Les Benedict, Ian Vo, Randall Willis, Anne King, Ann Patterson, and Brian O'Rourke.
