about symphonic jazz orchestra
(click on the names below to read more about our music directors)
George Duke Mitch Glickman
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
| Frank Toby Chi | Mitch Glickman | Dr. Peter Pelikan |
| George Duke | Jinko Gotoh | Cindy Ruth |
| Suzan Eadens | Mimi Orman | Steve Ruth |
| Kerri Glickman | Neal Patton | Tim Samut |
MUSIC ADVISORY BOARD
| Billy Childs | Peter Erskine | Tom Scott |
| John Clayton | Eddie Karam | Horace Silver |
| Joseph Conlan | Bob Mintzer |
Susan Gordon
Director of Development
OUR MISSION
- COMMISSION symphonic jazz compositions, a musical genre that blends the American language of jazz with European orchestral traditions
- PERFORM commissioned works in concerts throughout Southern California
- RECORD its commissioned works for an international audience
- INSPIRE the next generation of listeners through its Community Outreach Program and specially designed free Family and Educational Concerts
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Since its debut in 2002, the 72-member Symphonic Jazz Orchestra has commissioned ten new works, and performed six world premieres along with three U.S. premieres. The orchestra has performed in concerts throughout Southern California including Royce Hall (UCLA), Ford Amphitheatre, Schoenberg Hall, San Gabriell Mission Playhouse and the Walt Disney Theatre at CalArts. Special guests joining the orchestra have included Justo Almario, Pete Christlieb, John Clayton, Carlos Cuevas, Bill Cunliffe, Tommy Davidson, Peter Erskine, Robert Hurst, Phil Perry, Tom Scott, Lesa Terry and The Yellowjackets.
The orchestra also has an active Community Outreach Program which has presented free family and educational concerts, master classes, assemblies, workshops, and in-school residenceies to over 21,500 students and their families throughout underserved areas of Los Angeles County.
HISTORY
Beginning in the 1920s and into the '30s, bandleader Paul Whiteman presented a series of concerts called "Experiments in Modern Music," which included the commissioning of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue." In the 1940s and '50s, arranger Gil Evans expanded the jazz palette by incorporating orchestral instruments and composer Gunther Schuller developed "Third Stream" music, which furthered the mixing of jazz and classical music on a larger scale. The 1960s and '70s included such bandleaders as Don Ellis and Stan Kenton giving opportunities to composers to continue to develop the jazz/classical sound. The 1980s and '90s saw Jack Elliott and the American Jazz Philharmonic commission and perform over 100 new symphonic jazz works in concerts across the country.
Following this rich tradition of blending jazz and classical influences, the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra is the next torchbearer. The ensemble is uniquely equipped to carry on this special genre of American music well into the new century.
