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Vanguard Jazz Orchestra: Live At The Village Vanguard

WBGO | By Patrick Jarenwattananon
Published February 13, 2012 at 3:03 PM MST
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra at soundcheck.
1 of 19  — The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra at soundcheck.
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra at soundcheck.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
Rich Perry, before the performance.
2 of 19  — Rich Perry, before the performance.
Rich Perry, before the performance.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
At soundcheck.
3 of 19  — At soundcheck.
At soundcheck.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
Jason Jackson, backstage.
4 of 19  — Jason Jackson, backstage.
Jason Jackson, backstage.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
Douglas Purviance (left) and Jason Jackson.
5 of 19  — Douglas Purviance (left) and Jason Jackson.
Douglas Purviance (left) and Jason Jackson.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
Dick Oatts takes a solo.
6 of 19  — Dick Oatts takes a solo.
Dick Oatts takes a solo.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
Saxophonist Ralph Lalama stands up for a solo, with Michael Weiss comping on piano.
7 of 19  — Saxophonist Ralph Lalama stands up for a solo, with Michael Weiss comping on piano.
Saxophonist Ralph Lalama stands up for a solo, with Michael Weiss comping on piano.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
Pianist Michael Weiss.
8 of 19  — Pianist Michael Weiss.
Pianist Michael Weiss.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
Trombonist Luis Bonilla supplies auxiliary percussion.
9 of 19  — Trombonist Luis Bonilla supplies auxiliary percussion.
Trombonist Luis Bonilla supplies auxiliary percussion.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
Trumpeters Terell Stafford (left) and Nick Marchione.
10 of 19  — Trumpeters Terell Stafford (left) and Nick Marchione.
Trumpeters Terell Stafford (left) and Nick Marchione.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
Billy Drewes stands up for a soprano sax solo.
11 of 19  — Billy Drewes stands up for a soprano sax solo.
Billy Drewes stands up for a soprano sax solo.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
Saxophonists Ralph Lalama (left) and Billy Drewes.
12 of 19  — Saxophonists Ralph Lalama (left) and Billy Drewes.
Saxophonists Ralph Lalama (left) and Billy Drewes.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
Drummer John Riley.
13 of 19  — Drummer John Riley.
Drummer John Riley.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
Rich Perry.
14 of 19  — Rich Perry.
Rich Perry.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
Rich Perry takes a solo.
15 of 19  — Rich Perry takes a solo.
Rich Perry takes a solo.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
Trombonist and co-leader John Mosca.
16 of 19  — Trombonist and co-leader John Mosca.
Trombonist and co-leader John Mosca.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
Baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan.
17 of 19  — Baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan.
Baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
The great saxophonist Lee Konitz, center, came to see the band.
18 of 19  — The great saxophonist Lee Konitz, center, came to see the band.
The great saxophonist Lee Konitz, center, came to see the band.
John Rogers for NPR / johnrogersnyc.com
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
19 of 19  — The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
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.

    Copyright 2012 WBGO
    Music
    Patrick Jarenwattananon
    [Copyright 2024 NPR]
    See stories by Patrick Jarenwattananon

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