Next Generation Jazz Orchestra

2012 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra
Director: Mr. Paul Contos

2012 NEXT GENERATION JAZZ ORCHESTRA BIOGRAPHIES

2012 TOUR INFORMATION

7.22.12: Yoshi's San Francisco
7.23.12: Depart for Japan
7.28.12: 24th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival in Noto, Japan
7.31.12: Performance/Exchange Program, Nagoya
8.03.12: Workshops in Tomisato
8.04.12: Tomisato Jazz Festival

Major support of the 2012 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra comes from the Surdna Foundation.
 

As part of a continuing commitment to jazz education and the perpetuation and development of top-level jazz musicians and jazz performance, the Monterey Jazz Festival proudly sponsors the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra.

Created in 1971 as a part of the Monterey Jazz Festival's continuing commitment to jazz education and selected through an application process during the Next Generation Jazz Festival each spring, former members of the Orchestra include pianists Benny Green and Patrice Rushen, bassist Larry Grenadier, drummer Chad Wackerman, saxophonists Joshua Redman, Donny McCaslin, Eric Marienthal, Dave Koz, trombonist Andy Martin, trumpeters Gilbert Castellanos, Ambrose Akinmusire, and big band leader Gordon Goodwin to name a few. In the past, the band has been under the leadership of Ladd McIntosh, Don Schamber, Benny Golson, Bill Berry, and many more. Now under the tutelage of Mr. Paul Contos, the renowned saxophonist and flautist who serves as the director of the Orchestra, the ensemble is dedicated to the study and performance of the most challenging big band literature available.

After obtaining a place in the Orchestra, members of this ensemble gather for one weekend in the summer to begin rehearsals in preparation for a domestic or international tour. Having received worldwide acclaim, previous tour destinations for the Orchestra have included performances in festivals and various venues in Canada, Japan, Australia, and Europe. In 2008, the NGJO performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and in 2009, the NGJO performed eight gigs from Kansas City to Washington D.C. in a tour of the United States.

The Next Generation Jazz Orchestra has been performing on the Arena Stage since 1971, and has been part of the Monterey tradition of presenting young musicians at the Festival. Many of jazz’s greatest stars have appeared with the band, including Louis Bellson, Ray Brown, Ron Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Golson, John Lewis, Gerry Mulligan, Oliver Nelson, Max Roach, Clark Terry, and many more.

In recent times at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the NGJO has performed with the Artist-In-Residence and Grammy Award-winning saxophonist, Branford Marsalis (2005); with Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist and DownBeat magazine’s Male Vocalist of the Year and Artist-In-Residence Kurt Elling (2006); with Artist-In-Residence and Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard (2007); with Maceo Parker and with Artist-In-Residence and Grammy Award-winning bassist, Christian McBride (2008); with Artist-In-Residence, multiple Grammy Award-winner and Pulitzer Prize recipient, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis (2009); and with Artist-In-Residence and Grammy Award winner, vocalist Dianne Reeves (2010). At the 54th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival in 2011, they performed with Artist-In-Residence, Joshua Redman, with special guests (and former band alumni) Benny Green and Donny McCaslin. In 2012, the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra welcomes back the Monterey Jazz Festival Artist-In-Residence and former NGJO Member, Ambrose Akinmusire.

2011 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra - C Jam Blues
from Monterey Jazz Festival on Vimeo.

2010 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra on Better TV

2010 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra on Tour