Results for "jazz"

Harry James and His Orchestra

Active since: 1939

Harry James' orchestra, formed in 1939, was one of the prominent big bands of the swing era. Initially a section leader in Benny Goodman's band, James quickly established his own ensemble, which became known for its vibrant brass section and energetic performances. The band featured notable soloists, including vocalists like Frank Sinatra and Helen Forrest and instrumentalists such as saxophonist Corky Corcoran, and achieved commercial success with hits like "You Made Me Love You" and "I Had the Craziest Dream." Known for its solid blend of jazz and popular music, Harry James' orchestra remained a significant presence in the swing and big band scene throughout the 1940s and beyond, adapting to changing musical tastes while maintaining its distinctive style.

Ambrose

Born: September 11, 1896

Bert Ambrose (known professionally as Ambrose) was an English bandleader, violinist, and composer, known for his influential role in the jazz and swing music scenes. Born in London, he moved to the United States in the early 1920s, where he became a prominent figure in both the jazz and dance band worlds. Ambrose led his own orchestra in the 1930s, performing at major venues and recording extensively. His skillful violin playing and knack for arranging contributed to his success, and he worked with a variety of well-known artists during his career. Ambrose's orchestra was recognized for its polished, sophisticated sound, which bridged the gap between dance music and the growing swing era.

Andrea Longato

Born: November 6, 1983

Andrea Longato is an established guitarist, composer, and producer whose career spans a wide range of musical genres and outlets. With over a decade of experience as a bandleader, Andrea has showcased his original music at countless venues and festivals across Europe and the US. His original music draws inspiration from notable instrumentalists such as Bill Frisell, Wayne Krantz, and Daniel Lanois, embodying a cross-genre aesthetic that is both contemplative and vibrant.

Andrea recently formed an exciting new trio with renowned musicians Rob Heath (Jim Campilongo, Justin Townes Earle) and Bryan Percivall (Verité, Britney Spears), performing his own compositions alongside unique renditions of pop and rock classics. His live performances are celebrated for their eclectic blend of influences and styles, all anchored by a commitment to improvisation and exploration that is quintessentially jazz. Andrea’s debut full-length album, “Thinking Heart,” is scheduled for release in January 2025.

Thomas Matta

Thomas Matta boasts a body of work as a musician that spans an impressive spectrum of genres, styles, and disciplines.

An active performer, Thomas has trotted around the globe with his bass trombone in tow, and is one of the most sought-after bass trombonists in Chicago's recording studios, concert halls, theater pits and other live-music venues. Thomas has performed and recorded with a diverse array of talents including the Woody Herman Orchestra, the Frank Mantooth, Rob Parton, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, the Mulligan Mosaics, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Johnny Mathis, Hug Jackman, The Who, Yes, Aretha Franklin, Art Garfunkel, Jimmy Heath, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Michael Feinstein, Fulcrum Point, The Colorado Symphony, Concertante di Chicago, the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra and many others.

Stefano Andreatta

Mike Prigodich

Born: March 16, 1970

Mike Prigodich: Pianist, Composer, and Band Leader

Mike Prigodich is a trailblazing jazz fusion pianist, composer, and bandleader whose music defies genre boundaries and embraces complexity with unflinching clarity. Based in Oregon, Prigodich draws inspiration from artists like Chick Corea, Dave Grusin, Yellowjackets, and others, but his sound is unmistakably his own—melding jazz with Latin, rock, and global influences to create emotionally rich, rhythmically daring compositions.

Prigodich made his mark with the release of his acclaimed 2011 debut album, A Stitch in Time, featuring an all-star lineup including Damian Erskine, Reinhardt Melz, and John Nastos. Funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign following a life-altering cancer diagnosis in 2008, the album was both a personal and artistic milestone. His story—of transformation through adversity—has become part of the music’s emotional DNA.

Lucious Crawford

Born: September 15, 2006

Lucious Crawford is a saxophonist and composer based in New York City, dedicated to preserving the spirit of traditional jazz while embracing the evolving language of the genre. A native of Washington, D.C., Crawford began his musical journey at the age of three and has since developed a voice rooted in the expressive depth of straight-ahead jazz. His inaugural album, Ballads n Blues, captures the essence of his early artistic vision—melding lyrical balladry with the soulful grit of blues in a way that honors the lineage of great jazz storytellers. Crawford’s playing is the great Hank Mobley, whose warm tone, melodic phrasing, and understated brilliance deeply shaped his approach to the tenor saxophone

Evan Palmer

Evan Palmer (they/them) is an improviser, bassist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and educator based in Brooklyn. They specialize in avant-garde and improvised music.

​Raised in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Palmer moved to Boston in 2018 to attend Berklee College of Music, where they studied with John Lockwood, Francisco Mela, Bob Gullotti, Bruce Gertz, Bruno Räberg, and Linda May Han Oh. They graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Music in Bass Performance.

​Palmer's music draws from a wide variety of influences. These include jazz, Latin, European classical, and folk, but with a focus on improvisation, avant-garde music and experimentation

Sedno

Active since: 2022

Sedno is a modern music band from Poland. We are inspired by world, people and places. We live, we think and we create.

Kyle Beck

Born: August 27, 2001

Hello! I'm a freelance musician operating out of Western Pennsylvania. Currently on the work-week grind we all know and "love," I write percussion ensemble and steelband music, and (hopefully someday) play live jazz.

My primary instruments are drum set and vibraphone, and I also play bass guitar and am learning trumpet.