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Performance / Tour

The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra - So Far, So Good…with More On The Way

Source: Michael S. Clark
August 13, 2019

An especially creative jazz ensemble like the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO) seldom has time to look back or dwell too long on past achievements. The last couple of years, however, have been marked by several milestone events with even more still to come. In fact, the band has been so busy with performing, recording and overseas commitments that we almost forgot to tell the world about our many diverse projects. The previous 20 months or so have seen the ...

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Recording

A New Chapter In Jazz from The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra

Source: Michael S. Clark
June 29, 2018

The history of jazz is littered with tales of unsung heroes and overlooked genius. It could be argued that the trumpeter and composer, the late Kenny Wheeler, was one such musician. He moved almost invisibly through the mainstream milieu, yet, he was universally admired by his peers for his important contributions to jazz composition. Many such personalities are dedicated to illuminating the deeper corners of the soul through emotive creativity, often revealing something autobiographical in their music. The SNJO is, ...

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Recording

"Modern Jacobite" - History, Art And Identity Entwine With A New Symphonic Work By Tommy Smith

Source: Michael S. Clark
September 7, 2016

Many jazz composers and musicians now work comfortably across lines of demarcation between classical music and jazz forms. The outcome over the years has largely been a victory of good sense over tender sensibilities, with much fulfilling music to enjoy. Now, Scots tenor saxophonist Tommy Smith, with the 80-piece BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, offer music lovers a full-bodied listening experience on 'Modern Jacobite'. Modern Jacobite (released in the USA 2nd September 2016) opens with Tommy Smith’s personal interpretation of Rachmaninov’s ...

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Recording

Scottish National Jazz Orchestra & Makoto Ozone Vividly Re-imagine Mozart’s "Jeunehomme"

Source: Michael S. Clark
September 7, 2015

An air of great anticipation surrounded the premiere in Edinburgh of Makoto Ozone’s very special arrangement of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s 9th Piano Concerto K.271 for The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra directed by Tommy Smith. This universally popular work, known familiarly as Jeunehomme is here re-imagined by a daring soloist in Makoto Ozone, an exceptional big band in the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO), and a courageous leader in director Tommy Smith. Mozart’s devotion to melody and solo virtuosity speak to ...

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Award / Grant

The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra Directed By Tommy Smith Submits "American Adventure" CD To The 57th Grammys

Source: Michael S. Clark
October 6, 2014

In the summer of 2013, The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra were joined at Avatar Studios in New York City by Kurt Elling, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman, Bill Evans, Joe Locke, Donny McCaslin, Clarence Penn, Michael Dease and Joel Frahm to capture some great performances on American Adventure. Following universal praise, the CD has now been submitted it for consideration at the 57th Recording Academy Awards. This is a first for Scottish jazz from an orchestra that is barely ...

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