Results for "Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra"

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra

In 1990 the U.S. Congress, recognizing the importance of jazz in American culture, authorized the establishment of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra (SJMO) as the orchestra-in-residence at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

Whether a 17-member big band, quartet, septet, or small group, the SJMO presents concerts featuring transcribed works, new arrangements, commissioned works and programs that illuminate the work of jazz masters who contributed to the development of American jazz and defined the music’s character.

New Music from Jeff Parker, Hayes Greenfield, Ize Trio & More

by Bob Osborne
July 2, 2026

This weeks playlist highlights musical contrast and deep ensemble chemistry. The selection begins with hypnotic grooves, cinematic depths, and global, prayerful textures, before navigating lyrical introspection and evocative writing. The second half features a run of heavy-hitters, including fiery electric fusion live from Montreal, precise chamber-jazz, and intimate hard-bop recorded straight from the bandstand. The music ...

The Pentland/Bergonzi Quartet, Paul Hecht, Hilary Jeffery, Shunzo Ohno

by Cheryl K.
July 2, 2026

During this week's two-hour program of jazz and improvised music--The Pentland/Bergonzi Quartet; vocalist Eve Cornelious; pianist Paul Hecht; the James McGowan Ensemble; vocalist Hilary Jeffery; the trio Tonnen von Hall; trumpeter Shunzo Ohno; and trombonist Conrad Herwig.Playlist Paul Gonsalves “It's Something You Ought to Know" from Ellingtonia Moods & Blues (RCA Victor/BMG Classics) 4:14 ...

Ben Wolfe, David Janeway, and Ben Wendel

by Jerome Wilson
July 1, 2026

This episode features new music from Ben Wolfe, David Janeway and Ben Wendel as well as older work from Conrad Herwig, Carmen McRae and the late Abdullah Ibrahim (aka Dollar Brand).Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) ...

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra: Ellington Masterworks

by Jack Bowers
June 18, 2026

When the topic of Duke Ellington's masterworks arises (rarely, it is true, but not implausibly so), the leading candidates usually comprise such popular standards as “Sophisticated Lady," “Mood Indigo," “Prelude to a Kiss" and “Satin Doll"--not one of which is included in the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra's chronicle of Ellington Masterworks, recorded live in April 2024 ...

The Jazz Historian: John Edward Hasse

by B.D. Lenz
August 17, 2023

Jazz is not simply a style of music; it is also a culture. The impact of this cultural force has had many ups and downs throughout the last century but, undeniably, has been felt worldwide across all nations and all languages. With such a storied past, it's important that an account of its beginnings and those ...

Jack Bowers: Top 15 Albums of 2021

by Jack Bowers
January 7, 2022

In spite of the Covid pandemic (and sometimes because of it!), 2021 was a splendid year for big-band albums, with eleven receiving 4 1/2-star reviews and one (Out on the Coast by the David Angel Big Band) earning five stars. The dominant dozen are listed here alongside top-rated smaller-group albums by Cory Weeds, Gerry Gibbs and ...

Bernstein Reimagined

By Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra

Label: MCG Jazz
Released: 2021
Track listing: Times Square Ballet (from "On the Town"); Dream With Me (from "Peter Pan"); Great Lover (from "On the Town"); Lonely Town (from "On the Town"); Morning Sun (from "Trouble in Tahiti"); Waltz (from "Divertimento for Orchestra"); Meditation #1 (from "Mass"); Chichester Psalms I; Postlude (from "A Quiet Place"); Symphonic Suite (from "On The Waterfront").

The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra explores the vast, diverse repertoire of legendary composer Leonard Bernstein on stunning, revelatory new album

February 8, 2021

Legendary composer Leonard Bernstein once called jazz “the ultimate common denominator of the American musical style.” The music made a profound impact on Bernstein’s work, not only in the more explicit “jazziness” of his work in musical theater, but throughout his “serious” orchestral music as well. Jazz artists in turn felt the influence of Bernstein’s innovations, ...

Dream With Me

February 8, 2021

Album: Bernstein Reimagined
By Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra
Label: MCG Jazz
Released: 2021
Duration: 6:03