World-Renowned Musicians Join WBGO Music Director Gary Walker to Advise Westchester Jazz Orchestra

Westchester, NY -- World-renowned jazz saxophonist Joe Lovano and WBGO jazz radio host Gary Walker are joining forces with several other music luminaries to provide artistic direction and organizational growth support for the Westchester Jazz Orchestra, featuring 17 jazz professionals who reside or work in Westchester County.

The Westchester Jazz Orchestra (WJO) has created an advisory board comprising Lovano, Walker, trumpeter Randy Brecker, pianist/composer Jim McNeely, bassist John Patitucci, saxophonist Houston Person and bassist Rufus Reid. They will offer input on various aspects of WJO's business, including artistic direction, organizational growth and development.

“WJO has entered a phase of rapid growth with the success of our CD and the endorsement of such prominent and talented musicians on our new advisory board," said Emily Tabin, WJO's executive director. “The advisory board members underscore the credibility and professionalism that WJO has already earned through our music."

A snapshot of WJO's advisory board members:

• Randy Brecker - A four-time Grammy winner, Randy has been shaping the sound of jazz, R&B and rock for more than four decades. His trumpet and flugelhorn performances have graced hundreds of albums and thrilled audiences worldwide with a wide range of artists. He has arranged for Chaka Khan, George Benson and Diana Ross.

• Joe Lovano - A multi-Grammy award winner and nominee, this tenor saxophonist consistently tops “Down Beat" magazine polls with his wide variety of ensembles, from large to small. He has played with numerous jazz giants and has become one himself.

• Jim McNeely - Jim rose to prominence as the pianist with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, the Stan Getz Quartet, and the Phil Woods Quintet. A nine-time Grammy nominee, Jim is composer-in-residence with both the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (New York City) and the Hessian Radio Big Band (Frankfurt, Germany).

• John Patitucci -- A longtime bassist for Chick Corea and Wayne Shorter, John is also active as a composer and has won two Grammys. As a studio musician, John has recorded with B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, George Benson, Dizzy Gillespie, Was Not Was, Dave Grusin, Natalie Cole, Bon Jovi, Queen Latifah, Sting, and Carly Simon.

• Houston Person -- A guest with WJO during its first year, Houston first received national attention with soulful albums recorded for Prestige in the '60s. In 1968, he began a decades-long musical partnership with vocalist Etta Jones. He continues to be hailed as a leading instrumentalist in the tradition Gene Ammons and Stanley Turrentine.

• Rufus Reid - A 45-year veteran bassist with more than 350 recordings in his discography, Rufus has performed and recorded with Eddie Harris, Thad Jones & Mel Lewis, Dexter Gordon, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Jack DeJohnette, J.J. Johnson and Andrew Hill. Rufus is equally known as an exceptional educator, teaching clinics and workshops all over the world.

• Gary Walker - Gary has hosted “Morning Jazz" on Newark, NJ-based WBGO, 88.3 FM/wbgo.org, for 25 years. Twice honored nationally as “Jazz Radio Person of the Year," Gary has also been WBGO's Music Director for 15 years and often emcees WJO's concerts.
  
  

Now in its fifth year, the Orchestra commissions and performs a broad range of jazz works -- from classic standards to contemporary pieces. In addition, WJO inspires young listeners with outreach programs in jazz education.

WJO's first CD, “All In," was released last year and is receiving rave newspaper and magazine reviews and placing near the top of jazz radio charts such as that of “JazzWeek."

WJO's next concert will be held Saturday, April 12 -- featuring the songs of George Gershwin and Paul Simon, with guest vocalist Kate McGarry -- at the Irvington Town Hall Theater. Next up, on Saturday, June 7, WJO concludes its fifth season with the songs of Brazilian master Antonio Carlos Jobim at the Seven Bridges School in Chappaqua. WJO's concerts are partially funded by the New York State Council on the Arts and the Aaron Copland Fund for Music.

The CD and reserved concert tickets can be ordered at 914-861-9100 or online at www.westjazzorch.org. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and only $5 for students.