Superstition Jazz Orchestra

A Tribute to the Modern Big Band Featuring the Superstition Jazz Orchestra directed by composer Mike Crotty THE JAZZ ENSEMBLE that became known as the ‘big band” began around 1910 and continued to develop through the 1930s and 40s into a standard instrumentation consisting of trumpets, trombones, saxophones and a rhythm section. Although the numbers in each section varied a little, the overall size (15 to 18 musicians today) and the approach to writing for the ensemble remained somewhat similar. Much of the early music was part of the “Swing Era” and was performed for dancing. Gradually bands, such as the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Woody Herman Orchestra and the Count Basie Orchestra, began appearing in concert. For decades, however, with only slight changes in style, the music of big bands remained more or less the same. Then in the late 1960s, inspired by writers such as Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington and others, the musical landscape started to evolve and change. Composers, such as Thad Jones, Oliver Nelson, Bob Brookmeyer and many who followed them, began to “stretch the envelope”. While keeping the important improvisational elements that were always a part of the music from its very beginnings, the lines between jazz and other musical genres, including classical, symphonic, rock, blues, pop and even country, began to obscure. On Wednesday, November 25th, the Superstition Jazz Orchestra (SJO) will perform some of the music that moved the sound of the big band into this new era. Featuring compositions by Bob Brookmeyer, Jim McNeely, Bob Mintzer, as well as new works by Michael Collins and Mike Crotty, the SJO will bring the modern sound of the big band to The Nash’s stage. Please join us! 1/2 price Student tickets are available in the Tables & Banquettes sections. Use code “student” at checkout, (25 & under w/ valid ID)