Under the artistic and musical direction of David N. Baker—a veteran of the bands of Quincy Jones, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, and Lionel Hampton—the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra’s (SJMO) artists bring the legacy of jazz to life, spotlighting the sounds of the greatest composers and performers of the past and present.
“The SJMO is renowned for reviving classic jazz tunes with an engaging blend of fidelity and finesse,” says the Washington Post. Jazz Times hails the group’s “vitality and skill,” and the New Yorker calls it "the best jazz repertory band in the country."
To learn more about the orchestra, click here.
CONCERT PROGRAM
The Music of Benny Carter, Gerry Mulligan, and Lester Young
Saxophonists Benny Carter, Coleman Hawkins and a couple other musicians recorded a few tunes in Paris in the ‘30s. What followed were iconic recordings by masters of the saxophone. The SJMO sax and rhythm sections perform highlights from these recordings, including Carter's “Blue Star," Mulligan's "Disc Jockey Jump," and more.
This program is subject to change.
