Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Nick Marchione, Frank David Greene, Terell Stafford, Scott Wendholt (trumpet); John Mosca, Luis Bonilla, Jason Jackson (trombone); Douglas Purviance (bass trombone); Dick Oatts (alto sax, soprano sax, flute); Billy Drewes (alto sax, soprano sax, flute, clarinet); Rich Perry (tenor sax, flute); Ralph LaLama (tenor sax, flute, clarinet); Gary Smulyan (baritone sax); Michael Weiss (piano); Phil Palombi, David Wong (double bass); John Riley (drums).
Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (US)
For years, on Monday evenings at The Village Vanguard jazz club
(New York), the orchestra of Thad Jones and Mel Lewis was on the
program. Their enjoyment in playing music, their inventiveness and
high quality have made this band into the norm for many other big
formations. Those two leaders have passed away in the mean time and
holes are appearing also in the ranks of the Vanguard Jazz
Orchestra as well. Nevertheless, the band still heads the major
league of big bands. For these days, the orchestra is led by
prominent musicians like trombonist John Mosca, saxophonist Dick
Oatts and mainly Jim McNeely (who won't be appearing at the
festival, unfortunately). The heart of their repertoire is formed
by the heritage of Thad Jones. They will also play compositions of
Bob Brookmeyer, Jerry Dodgion and 'in-house composer' Jim McNeely.
At the festival, the atmosphere of 'Monday Night Live at the
Village Vanguard' - a tradition that seems to live on forever.