New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
Bio
The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO) was formed in 2002 and was designed to celebrate and fortify the American Jazz portfolio while providing infrastructure for developing the New Orleans Jazz industry. Led by Artistic Director Adonis Rose, this 18-piece big band has an ever-increasing repertoire that exemplifies the influence of Jazz as the grandfather of all modern American music. As such, the band and its members are true Ambassadors of American Music. The members of the orchestra span several generations and have over one hundred years of combined professional experience. They have performed and recorded with a veritable who’s who of artists across all genres. NOJO has headlined all of America’s major performing arts venues and clubs and produced the first local, ticketed Jazz Concert Series in New Orleans’ history. NOJO’s album, BOOK ONE released on World Village (Harmonia Mundi) won the 2010 Grammy Award for “Best Large Jazz Ensemble.” Their album that followed, Dee Dee’s Feather’s, was released in 2015, and features Grammy and Tony award-winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater.
On their latest release, Songs: The Music of Allen Toussaint (Storyville 2019), NOJO takes a look into the mind and music of New Orleans’ piano legend Allen Toussaint, whose music has influenced generations spanning more than fifty years. In their inimitable swinging style, the Orchestra performs original Big Band arrangements of Toussaint’ greatest hits including “Southern Nights,” “With You In Mind,” “It’s Raining,” “Ruler of My Heart,” “Java,” and “Working in the CoalMine.” The recording features Dee Dee Bridgewater and several other special guests.