Results for "band/orchestra"

Vanguard Jazz Orchestra

The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra is the current title for a band that began life as the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra in 1966 and has performed continuously ever since. The story is familiar but bears repeating that in 1966 cornetist, composer, arranger, Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis founded a band in New York. Having settled in New York after leaving their respective touring jobs with Basie and Kenton, Thad and Mel along with many of their colleagues needed an outlet for their creative energies and relief from the tedium of the studio work. With a handful of arrangements they approached legendary club owner Max Gordon and were booked at the Village Vanguard for 3 Mondays in February

Turtle Island Quartet

Its name derived from creation mythology found in Native American Folklore, the Turtle Island Quartet, since its inception in 1985, has been a singular force in the creation of bold, new trends in chamber music for strings. Winner of the 2006 and most recently, the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album, Turtle Island fuses the classical quartet esthetic with contemporary American musical styles, and by devising a performance practice that honors both, the state of the art has inevitably been redefined. Cellist nonpareil Yo-Yo Ma has proclaimed TIQ to be “a unified voice that truly breaks new ground – authentic and passionate – a reflection of some of the most creative music-making today.” The Quartet’s birth was the result of violinist David Balakrishnan’s brainstorming explorations and compositional vision while completing his master’s degree program at Antioch University West

Tonight Show Band

Active since: 1954

The Tonight Show Band is the band which plays on the American television variety show, "The Tonight Show." From 1962 to the 1990s, during the years the show was known as "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson", the band was a 17-piece Big Band, and was an important outlet for jazz on American television. During the Carson era, the band was always billed as "The NBC Orchestra" (not to be confused with the NBC Symphony Orchestra) and sometimes "Doc Severinsen and the NBC Orchestra." History The band was founded in 1954, coincidental to the NBC Symphony Orchestra being disbanded. Its first long-term director was Skitch Henderson (1954 - 57)

The Rippingtons

Active since: 1985

The Rippingtons are a Grammy-nominated contemporary jazz group, founded by guitarist and composer Russ Freeman in 1985. Their debut album, "Moonlighting", was hailed by Jazziz magazine as the "the number one most influential contemporary jazz album of all time."

The group has passed the thirty year mark, and continues to innovate. Their influences are wide-ranging, from instrumental pop, to rock, to world music, to EDM, to R&B. Some artists having recorded with the Rippingtons include Arturo Sandoval, Jeffrey Osbourne, Kirk Whalum, Kenny G, Dave Grusin, the late Joe Sample, Dave Koz, David Benoit, Patti Austin, Peter White, Rick Braun, Zak Wylde, and many more.

Return to Forever

Miles Davis' electric bands in the late ‘60s (featured on such classic albums as In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew) served as the incubator for several pioneering jazz fusion bands, including Tony Williams’ Lifetime, Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra, Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter’s Weather Report and Chick Corea’s legendary Return to Forever, whose lifespan stretched from 1972 to 1977 with three different versions of the band. After a touring absence of more than 25 years, the potent jazz-rock flagship quartet edition of Return to Forever returns in 2008

Rebirth Brass Band

The Rebirth Brass Band rose from the streets of New Orleans to international renown with a mix of the brass-band tradition and a refreshingly modern sensibility. The Rebirth Brass Band mastered the traditional jazz sound of their hometown and then melded it with funk, R&B and, most recently, hip-hop, they are as capable with spirituals and rags as it is with brass-band boogie. Formed in the early ‘80’s by Philip Frazier, Keith Frazier and Kermit Ruffins, all former schoolmates, the band has evolved from playing the streets of the French Quarter to playing festivals and stages all over the world

Tito Puente

Born: April 20, 1923

Ernest Anthony Puente, Jr., Tito Puente is internationally recognized for his enormous and significant contributions to Latin music as a bandleader, composer, arranger, percussionist, and mentor. Popularly known as the “El Rey del Timbal” and the “King of Mambo”, he recorded more than 100 albums, published more than 400 compositions, and won six Grammy awards. Although he played and recorded jazz and salsa, Puente is one of only a handful of musicians who deserve the title “legendary”, primarily for his mastery of the mambo. Puente has been credited with introducing the timbal and the vibraphone to Afro-Cuban music, Puente also played the trap drums, the conga drums, the claves, the piano, and occasionally, the saxophone and the clarinet. While Puente was perhaps best known for his all-time best- selling 1958 mambo album “Dance Mania”, his eclectic sound has continued to transcend cultural and generational boundaries

Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers

Active since: November 1, 1938

Pucho and the Latin Soul Brothers - band/ensemble “Ain't too many cats can get into that funk like we can get into the funk. Latin groups and jazz groups, they can do jazz, and they can do the Latin, but they can't do the funk like I can do it.” The career of timbalero Henry "Pucho" Brown has come full circle. As leader of Pucho and his Latin Soul Brothers, the Harlem-born percussionist was a pivotal figure in the Latin boogaloo movement that fused Latin, jazz, and funk styles during the Sixties. Eight albums by Pucho and his fiery New York-based band, including a "best of" collection, were issued by Prestige Records between 1966 and ’69

Preservation Hall Jazz Band

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe. The band has traveled worldwide spreading their mission to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans Jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, for British Royalty or the King of Thailand, this music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit. Under the auspices of current director, Ben Jaffe, the son of founders Allan and Sandra, Preservation Hall continues with a deep reverence and consciousness of its greatest attributes in the modern day as a venue, band, and record label. The building that houses Preservation Hall has housed many businesses over the years including a tavern during the war of 1812, a photo studio and an art gallery

Pocket Change

Pocket Change is a seven-piece funk project based in Seattle, Washington. With an updated funk sound described as a blend of Soulive and Tower of Power, P-Change has enjoyed great success as a band that can get audiences up and moving. Since the release of their self-titled debut album in September 2006, Pocket Change has created a buzz with their high level of musical ability, incredible stage energy, and deep groove. Pocket Change has received radio play on KEXP, KSER, and internet radio stations across the US and Europe. Their first album was featured on CDBaby.com's front page, and received a glowing review after earning top spots on their Editor's Picks lists in the Funk and Jazz Fusion genres