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THE BUZZ JONES BIG BAND

Now in its 29th year, The Buzz Jones Big Band is dedicated to performing the re-orchestrated masterpieces of the Great American Songbook, swing standards of Basie & Ellington, blues of all genres, Latin jazz, and fusion. The band has over 200 performances to its credit --- jazz festivals, conventions, college campuses, ballroom dances, and summer park concert series. The BJBB  has toured Europe three times since 1995 with performances at the Montreux and North Sea International Jazz Festivals and concerts in Belgium, Germany, France, Holland, and Switzerland.

Vocalist Cathy Chemi is one of the most outstanding interpreters of American popular song in the mid Atlantic States. In Las Vegas, she shared the stage with Alan King and legendary jazz pianist Earl "Fatha" Hines. Cathy joined the Harry James Orchestra as featured vocalist in the late '60s and toured the U.S. and the Europe with performances at London's Royal Festival Hall and the Hollywood Palladium. A live recording with the Harry James Orchestra was recently reissued as a two CD set.

The BJBB recorded a studio compact disc titled "Millennium Swing" in 2000 to celebrate its 20th anniversary. In June 2006 the band recorded a live CD "What's Up In The Attic?" with numerous guest artists including Denis DiBlasio and George Rabbai.

Buzz Jones Sextet

The Buzz Jones Sextet toured Germany in July 2004 and 2007 and also taught workshops and clinics for over forty German students at a musikschule near Hannover. The Buzz Jones Quartet with alto saxophonist Doug Cook performs regionally for a variety of society functions and in jazz history classes at Gettysburg College.

George Grund (pno), Jim McFalls (trb), Tom Hamm (drums), Dale Orris (trp), Buzz Jones (bass), Brett Crawford (sax)

THE MAJESTIC JAZZ ORCHESTRA

The twenty member Majestic Jazz Orchestra was organized in October 2003 for the express purpose of performing and recording Axiom Asunder, a composition in four episodes tracing the history of jazz that utilizes the poetry of Langston Hughes as a narrative thread. The name of the MJO pays tribute to Gettysburg’s historic Majestic Theater. The theater recently underwent a fifteen million dollar restoration as a regional performing arts center under the auspices of Gettysburg College, the Gettysburg community and Founding Director Jeffrey Gabel. The Majestic reopened on November 14^th, 2005 to coincide with the 80^th anniversary of the project and consists of expansion of lobby and backstage facilities, addition of two smaller theaters for the multi-purpose use of movies, lectures, concerts, black-box theater, community rehearsal space, as well as educational programs for students and the general public.

The Majestic Jazz Orchestra recorded "Axiom Asunder" in June, 2004. (Review)

GETTYSBURG COLLEGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE
at the Sunderman Conservatory of Music

The Jazz Ensemble returned as a performing group in 1989 after a five year hiatus.  Students from a broad variety of disciplines audition for a place in the band. The musicians are dedicated to preserving and advancing America's indigenous musical art form and study all styles of jazz from big band swing through contemporary fusion. Campus, community, and festival performances highlight the year's schedule including a concert with a nationally recognized soloist each February.  Guest artists have included Paquito D’Rivera, Jim McFalls, Lew Soloff, John Fedchock, Chris Vadala, Denis DiBlasio, and Ed Soph. The GCJE has traveled throughout Europe in 1993, 1997, and 2002 with performances at the North Sea, Vienne, and Montreux Jazz Festivals. The GCJE is now planning a tour of Greece and Italy during May 19-28, 2008.

2008 Mediterranean Jazz Tour

19th Annual Winter Jazz Ensemble Concert

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:00 PM

The Gettysburg College Jazz Ensemble presents an exciting evening of jazz classics and new arrangements for Valentine's Day weekend. Special guest vocalist is Detroit native, Kathy Kosins. The New York Times says "Ms. Kosins's nonstandard choice of standards is almost as winsome as her easygoing, swinging style..." (website)

GC '07 Jazz Ensemble with guest artist George Rabbai