The Westchester Jazz Orchestra is a 16 piece concert jazz orchestra based in

Westchester, New York Westchester County is located in the U.S. state of New York. It is the seventh most populous county in the State of New York and the most populous north of New York City. According to the 2020 United States Census, the county had a population o ...

currently conducted by jazz pianist and composer

Mike Holober Mike Holober (born April 21, 1957) is an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator. Holober moved to New York in 1986, and worked as a composer and sideman pianist. After working with baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola in the late ...

. The orchestra has been critically acclaimed by ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'', ''

Down Beat ' (styled in all caps) is an American music magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond", the last word indicating its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chi ...

'', and ''

JazzTimes ''JazzTimes'' is an American magazine devoted to jazz. Published 10 times a year, it was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1970 by Ira Sabin as the newsletter ''Radio Free Jazz'' to complement his record store. Coverage After a decade of growth ...

''.Westchester Jazz Orchestra, ''The New York Times'', May 22, 2011
/ref> The Westchester Jazz Orchestra was honored as a runner up for "Best Big Band" in the 2011

readers' poll. The ensemble operates as a non-profit artistic entity based in the

Westchester County Westchester County is located in the U.S. state of New York. It is the seventh most populous county in the State of New York and the most populous north of New York City. According to the 2020 United States Census, the county had a population o ...

region of New York. Co-founded in 2002 by saxophonist Joey Berkley, guitarist Peter Hand (who left the group during its initial season), and Executive Director Emily Tabin, the ensemble has been directed by pianist

since 2007. WJO musicians are world-class as are the composers and arrangers from whom they commission music. They primarily use the talents of their own members for new, original music. Their first album, "All In," was released in 2007 under their own label, WJO Productions, and their second, "Maiden Voyage Suite," in 2010. WJO features studio musicians in the New York City region and has performed numerous concerts that include artistic collaborations with performers, composers and arrangers such as

Alan Broadbent Alan Leonard Broadbent (born 23 April 1947) is a New Zealand jazz pianist, arranger, and composer known for his work with artists such as Sue Raney, Charlie Haden, Woody Herman, Chet Baker, Irene Kral, Sheila Jordan, Natalie Cole, Warne Marsh, ...

Janis Siegel Janis Siegel (born July 23, 1952) is an American jazz singer, best known as a member of the vocal group The Manhattan Transfer. Musical career In 1965, Siegel made her recording debut with a group called Young Generation on Red Bird Records. A ...

, Pete McGuinness, Kenny Berger,

Joe Lovano Joseph Salvatore Lovano (born December 29, 1952)"Joe Lovano." ''Contemporary Musicians''. Vol. 13. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 1994. Retrieved via ''Biography in Context'' database, May 5, 2017. is an American jazz saxophonist, alto clarin ...

, Jack Cooper,

Randy Brecker Randal Edward Brecker (born November 27, 1945) is an American trumpeter, flugelhornist, and composer. His versatility has made him a popular studio musician who has recorded with acts in jazz, rock, and R&B. Early life Brecker was born on Nov ...

John Scofield John Scofield (born December 26, 1951), sometimes referred to as "Sco", is an American guitarist and composer whose music over a long career has blended jazz, jazz fusion, funk, blues, soul and rock. He first came to mainstream attention in the ...

and Paquito D'Rivera.

Discography/DVD

*2007 ''All In'' (WJO Productions) *2011 ''Maiden Voyage Suite'' (WJO Productions) MCCLENAGHAN, DAN. All About Jazz review of "All In", September 30, 2011
/ref>

References

External links

* *
Westchester Jazz Orchestra (web site, BJO page)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Westchester Jazz Orchestra American jazz ensembles from New York (state) Big bands Modern big bands Musical groups established in 2002

Discography/DVD

See also

References

External links