Jimmy Mac's cool links
Danish
Radio Jazz Orchestra
The first permanent, state financed jazz orchestra to achieve a musical and organizational status on the same level as that of the symphony orchestras. It was — and still is — a jazz orchestra with its own repertoire that did not have to rely on any populist tendencies.
Metropole
Orchestra
Here's a big band with the usual brass, reeds and rhythm augmented by a string section to add a more classical, chamber Jazz ambiance. The Metropole has recorded a series of discs with guest artists from the U.S. and elsewhere including Clark Terry, George Robert, Claudio Roditi, Bobby Shew and Harvey Wainapel, among others, most of which were presided over by the band's long-time music director/arranger, Rob Pronk.
Vanguard
Jazz Orchestra
For over three decades the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra has been committed to engaging audiences in jazz and related American music experiences. The orchestra serves as a creative outlet for some of the nation's foremost performers, composers, and arrangers. One of the driving forces behind the longevity and artistic excellence of this ensemble is a commitment to the original Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra precepts of sound and the nurturing and encouragement of creativity and experimentation in the creators, performers and listeners of jazz.- Carnegie Hall Jazz Band
A band that has earned a reputation for distinct programs that highlight new perspectives on the jazz band tradition, through specially commissioned new arrangements and thematic programs that salute jazz greats or new trends — always showcasing both established artists and emerging talent. - BMI
Jazz Composers' Workshop
The BMI Jazz Composers Workshop was formed in 1988 to provide an environment where the composer has the freedom to explore new avenues in the creative process, while at the same time honing and solidifying his or her skills. - New
York University
The combination of a select student body and great artist teachers provides a unique opportunity to develop as a performer/composer and to make the contacts necessary to launch a professional career. At NYU students study intensely with a faculty of renowned professionals. - Stockholm
Jazz Orchestra
The ambition of SJO is to play modern, swinging big band jazz with a lot of space for the soloists. The repertoire consists of compositions and arrangements written by the guests the band have played with and some originals from the members themselves. - Lake
Placid Institute Seminar in Jazz Improvisation
(I teach here in the summer.)
The Lake Placid Seminars are intensive twelve day courses that examine and re-evaluate the creation of imaginative solo and ensemble presentation.
Participants in each of the seminars have the opportunity to work and perform with an outstanding faculty of internationally recognized musicians who value continuing education as part of the music making process. - West
German Radio Big Band
The WDR Big Band Cologne is not an "ad-hoc" ensemble, but has developed continually from existing orchestras. The WDR (the regional radio and television station) was known as the NWDR. Like almost all of the stations in the Bundesrepublic of Germany, the WDR maintained a fixed dance- and entertainment-orchestra with typical instrumentation: Big Band plus strings. - University
of Northern Colorado Jazz Press
(Publishes most of my big band music.)
UNC Jazz Press is the world's largest publisher of advanced jazz music for big band, vocal jazz and small jazz ensembles. The UNC Jazz Press Catalog reflects the finest in contemporary jazz literature for high school, college, and professional jazz ensembles. - Advance Music
(Publishes my book The Art of Comping .) - UMO Jazz Orchestra
- University
of Illinois
(My alma mater)
The University of Illinois School of Music is consistently ranked among the strongest professional music schools in the country. It attracts outstanding students and faculty in composition-theory, music education, musicology, and performance. The school is large enough to provide a wide variety of experience for students seeking degrees in music.