- Hide caption The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra at soundcheck. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption Rich Perry, before the performance. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption At soundcheck. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption Jason Jackson, backstage. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption Douglas Purviance (left) and Jason Jackson. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption Dick Oatts takes a solo. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption Saxophonist Ralph Lalama stands up for a solo, with Michael Weiss comping on piano. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption Pianist Michael Weiss. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption Trombonist Luis Bonilla supplies auxiliary percussion. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption Trumpeters Terell Stafford (left) and Nick Marchione. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption Billy Drewes stands up for a soprano sax solo. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption Saxophonists Ralph Lalama (left) and Billy Drewes. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption Drummer John Riley. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption Rich Perry. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption Rich Perry takes a solo. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption Trombonist and co-leader John Mosca. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption Baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption The great saxophonist Lee Konitz, center, came to see the band. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
- Hide caption The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Previous Next John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com
There's a tradition in many New York City jazz clubs: Monday nights are reserved for big bands. The Village Vanguard, the most storied of clubs, has observed this practice since 1966, when a nascent large ensemble called together by trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis was booked for three Mondays in February. Now called the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Grammy-winning 16-piece band upholds Jones and Lewis' precepts of swinging boldly and arranging deftly to a sold-out crowd weekly.
NPR Music and WBGO featured the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra on its home turf, in a live radio broadcast and online video webcast Monday, Feb. 13. NPR Music and WBGO have our own tradition of broadcasting monthly from the legendary club; this marks the 50th concert in the npr.org/villagevanguard series.
Set List
- "A-That's Freedom" (H. Jones, arr. T. Jones)
- "Extra Credit" (McNeely)
- "ABC Blues" (Brookmeyer)
- "Suite For Three" (Brookmeyer)
- "Skylark" (Carmichael, arr. Brookmeyer)
- "My Centennial" (T. Jones)
Personnel
- Nick Marchione, trumpet (lead)
- Tanya Darby, trumpet
- Terell Stafford, trumpet
- Scott Wendholt, trumpet
- John Mosca, trombone (lead)/co-leader
- Luis Bonilla, trombone
- Jason Jackson, trombone
- Douglas Purviance, bass trombone/co-leader
- Dick Oatts, alto saxophone (lead)/winds
- Billy Drewes, alto saxophone/winds
- Ralph LaLama, tenor saxophone/winds
- Rich Perry, tenor saxophone/winds
- Gary Smulyan, baritone saxophone/bass clarinet
- Michael Weiss, piano
- David Wong, bass
- John Riley, drums
Credits
Producer And Host: Josh Jackson; Audio Engineer: David Tallacksen; Production Assistant: Michael Downes. Recorded Feb. 13, 2012 at The Village Vanguard in New York, N.Y.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7zRZ6arn19nfXJ%2BjmlpaGljZH51gZhxbmlpYGTDorrGrpirnF2frrvGjKipnKCVqMGzrYyloK%2BdXZbBbsDHnmSvoZyhrqixjK%2BYp5%2Bllr%2Bl