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Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra

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Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra
Jazz orchestra
Short nameSJMO
Founded1990(1990)
LocationWashington, D.C,
Concert hallNational Museum of American HistoryAuditorium
Music directorCharlie Young

TheSmithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra(SJMO) is the nationaljazz orchestraof the United States. It is based at theNational Museum of American HistoryinWashington, D.C.,where it is the orchestra-in-residence. The SJMO was founded in 1990 with the dual mission of performing and preserving American jazz masterworks and raising public awareness and understanding of the genre.[1]

History[edit]

AnAct of Congressestablished the orchestra in 1990 with an appropriation to theSmithsonian Institutionof $242,000. In 1991Gunther SchullerandDavid Bakerbecame the original artistic and musical directors of the orchestra, which began performing in 1991. Five years later Baker became its sole artistic and musical director.[2][3]

The inaugural season, jointly conducted by Schuller and Baker, consisted of six weekends of free concerts for which the conductors collected or commissioned transcriptions of the original arrangements of the works to be presented and provided the orchestra's members with tapes of the original performances.[4][5][6]

David Bakerleading the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra during theNEA Jazz Mastersawards ceremony and concert in 2008

Since 1991 the SJMO has performed in nine foreign countries and twenty-six U.S. states, in addition to numerous free concerts in Washington, D.C. Appearances outside their base at the National Museum of American History have included a performance at theWhite Housein 1993 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of theNewport Jazz Festival;the Cultural Olympiad at the1996 Summer Olympicsin Atlanta, Georgia; and a 1999 tour of the United States to present concerts in tribute to the 100th anniversary ofDuke Ellington's birth that included a concert performance at theMonterey Jazz Festivalfeaturing Ellington'sSuite Thursday,which was commissioned for the festival.[1][7]Among the orchestra's notable performances under Baker's leadership outside the United States was a concert inEgyptin 2008, when it played at theCairo Opera House,the Alexandra Opera House, and at thePyramids.[3]

In 2012, at the age of 80, Baker concluded his tenure as the SJMO's artistic director, and was named maestro emeritus in December 2012. The occasion was marked by a special concert consisting entirely of Baker's compositions. Charlie Young, a jazz saxophonist and educator atHoward University,became artistic director after Baker's retirement.[3][7]

Members[edit]

As of 2015, the orchestra's principal members were:[8]

Artistic and Musical Director

  • Charlie Young

Executive Producer

  • Ken Kimery

Reeds

  • Steve Williams
  • Bill Mulligan
  • Scott Silbert
  • Luis Hernandez
  • Leigh Pilzer

Trumpets

  • Liesl Whitaker
  • Tom Williams
  • Kenny Rittenhouse

Trombones

  • Jennifer Krupa
  • Matt Niess
  • Bill Holmes
  • Jeff Cortazzo

Piano

  • Tony Nalker

Bass

  • James King
  • Amy Shook

Drums

  • Ken Kimery

Discography[edit]

The orchestra's recordings include:[9]

  • Bernstein Reimagined
  • Tribute to a Generation: A Salute to the Big Bands
  • Tri-C Jazzfest 2001
  • Piano Grand! A Smithsonian Celebration
  • Big Band Treasures Live
  • Live at MCG

References[edit]

  1. ^abHerzig, Monika, and Nathan Davis (2011).David Baker: A Legacy in Music.Bloomington: Indiana University Press. p. 281.ISBN9780253356574.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^Fox, Margalit (March 29, 2016)."David Baker, Who Helped Bring Jazz Studies Into the Academy, Dies at 84".The New York Times.New York, New York.RetrievedJune 29,2018.
  3. ^abcMansky, Jackie (March 28, 2016)."Jazz Legend David Baker's Soaring Legacy".Smithsonian Institution.RetrievedJuly 2,2018.
  4. ^Martin, Henry, and Keith Waters (2013).Essential Jazz.Cengage Learning. p. 217.ISBN978-1285415536.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^Kirchner, Bill (2005).The Oxford Companion to Jazz.Oxford University Press. p. 518.ISBN9780195183597.
  6. ^Broder, David (August 28, 1991)."Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra Keeps Music Of Masters Alive".Spokane Chronicle.Spokane, Washington: B7.RetrievedApril 27,2015.
  7. ^abStevens, Joann (December 2012)."Smithsonian's Very Own Maestro David Baker is All That's Jazz".Smithsonian Magazine.Washington, D.C.:Smithsonian Institution.RetrievedApril 27,2015.
  8. ^"Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra: Meet the Orchestra".National Museum of American History.10 March 2015.RetrievedApril 27,2015.
  9. ^"Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra: Discography".AllMusic.RetrievedApril 27,2015.

External links[edit]

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