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JazzMN

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JazzMN Orchestra is Minnesota’s premier professional jazz ensemble.

That statement is frequently reinforced by world-renowned guest artists who have told audiences that JazzMN is as good or better than any big band they have played with in New York or LA.  JazzMN Orchestra members are "first call" musicians for touring Broadway shows at the Orpheum, State, Guthrie and Ordway theaters or national acts at clubs and casinos. Many have toured with Doc Severinsen, Buddy Rich, Glen Miller’s iconic sax section and Prince. JazzMN musicians also include Woody Herman’s former drummer, plus a current member of the Four Freshmen.  A couple have even performed with the Minnesota Orchestra.  Many are also educators at area colleges.

Like big band era orchestras, JazzMN features our renowned band members as soloists, along with internationally-acclaimed guest artists, and showcases original compositions and arrangements by jazz icons.

JazzMN was founded in 1998 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit to promote and preserve an original American art form…Jazz.  And also to inspire and help foster the next generation of jazz musicians.  Following the model of the classical orchestra, JazzMN performs a broad range of jazz repertoire spanning classic and contemporary styles, including Swing, BeBop, Fusion, R&B, Latin, Rock, and even Rap genres.  This effort to program works from Classic to Contemporary ties with JazzMN’s efforts to present jazz as an American art form that crosses age and race barriers.

For nearly three decades, JazzMN has presented over 90 concerts, with dozens of additional performances, often free, at jazz and arts festivals around the metro area (e.g. Twin Cites Jazz Fest). JazzMN guest artists have included highly-regarded performers from diverse backgrounds including Arturo Sandoval, Wycliffe Gordon, Bob Mintzer, Nicholas Payton, Rob McConnell, Gordy Goodwin, Paquito D'Rivera, Phil Woods, James Moody, Dave Weckl, Buddy DiFranco, Wayne Bergeron, Terrance Blanchard, Diane Schuur, Tierney Sutton, Morgan James, Kurt Elling, New York Voices and prominent local vocalists like Connie Evingson, Debbie Duncan and Lila Ammons, as well as Minnesota native Maria Schneider.

The JazzMN Orchestra has performed at many prominent venues around the metro, including the Ordway, Orchestra Hall, Ted Mann, Fitzgerald and State Theaters, plus Dakota, Crooners and the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.

Educational outreach is also an important part of JazzMN’s mission. Activities in this area have included the Winter Jazz Blast that showcases and works with high school jazz bands, clinics and master classes at area schools and colleges conducted by JazzMN musicians and guest artists, as well as performances by the full orchestra at school jazz festivals and events, often students' first exposure to a professional jazz orchestra. Outreach activities allow local school students the opportunity to learn from, and then play alongside, JazzMN musicians. These performances have proven to be highly inspirational to young musicians. Some have cited JazzMN’s concerts as one of the things that influenced their decision to go into music as a career.