SRJO NEWS
SRJO wins 2018 "NW Concert of the Year" Golden Ear Award
March 11, 2019
Last night at the Earshot Jazz Society's 2018 Golden Ear Awards, SRJO was honored with a Golden Ear Award for "2018 NW Concert of the Year!" This award recognizes our concerts of November 2018 with Maria Schneider.
Many, many thanks to everyone who voted for SRJO. Join us in celebrating this monumental achievement!
SRJO wins 2015 "NW Concert of the Year" Golden Ear Award
March 16, 2016
Last night at the Earshot Jazz Society's 2015 Golden Ear Awards, SRJO was honored with a Golden Ear Award for "2015 NW Concert of the Year!" This award recognizes our concerts of February 2015 with Anat Cohen, “A World View of Jazz.”
When accepting the award on behalf of the SRJO, Co-Artistic and Executive Director Michael Brockman said:
"From the moment we knew we were nominated, we felt honored to be included in a very impressive list of nominees---for this award and all the Earshot Golden Ear awards. The truth is, it's an honor to be part of such a vibrant jazz scene where so much is possible. We are very happy to be working here among all of you. "
"This honor goes to to Anat Cohen and all players in the SRJO that participated in this concert. When you put that many talented people on stage--and I am talking about Jay Thomas, Mark Taylor, Randy Halberstadt, Phil Sparks, Thomas Marriott, Dan Marcus, Alex Dugdale, Travis Ranney, Michael Van Bebber, Bill Ramsay, and so many others that we have in the band, great things are going to happen."
The news keeps getting better. SRJO artist Randy Halberstadt also won an award, and was inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame. What a night for us!
Many, many thanks to everyone who voted for SRJO. Join us in celebrating this monumental achievement!
Jazz Scholars receives grant from the Raynier Foundation
February 1, 2016
The Raynier Foundation has awarded a three-year grant of $250,000 jointly to SRJO's Jazz Scholars program and the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra's "SYSO in the Schools" program. The Musical Pathways Project provides music lessons and coaching, and program support for selected Seattle Public elementary schools and the middle and high schools that they feed into.
In 2009, SRJO and SYSO independently developed similar programs providing supplemental instrumental music lessons, small group instruction, and sectional rehearsals, so that low income students may have access to more complete music education. Both chose the Seattle Public Schools' Denny Middle School and Chief Sealth High School instrumental music program as their first location.
For the past several years, the SRJO and SYSO programs have been working together informally and successfully at Denny and Chief Sealth, and in the feeder elementary schools in southwest Seattle. Last year we decided to work together more intentionally, and the Raynier grant application was our first joint effort. We are excited to continue our work with SYSO to bring more educational opportunities to students in our community!
We'd like to give a huge thank you to The Raynier Foundation for joining the group of Jazz Scholars supporters. Jazz Scholars has received significant support from the Clowes Family Fund, the Washington State Arts Commission, and the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, and from the Michael J. Owen Music Education Fund, which has also provided volunteer time to build the elementary instrumental music program.
This award has been recognized by the Clowes Fund in their quarterly Grantee Spotlight! The spotlight, titled “Fostering Relationships to Leverage Impact,” features both the SRJO and and SYSO. To read it, visit the Clowes Fund's website at www.clowesfund.org/seattle.
Please join us in celebrating this wonderful news! Learn more about SRJO's Jazz Scholars program here.
Seattle Times recognizes "A World View of Jazz" with Anat Cohen in Best Concerts of 2015
December 30, 2015
Seattle Times Jazz Critic Paul de Barros included SRJO's concert of February 2015 with world class clarinetist Anat Cohen, "A World View of Jazz," in his picks for the best concerts of 2015!
Read more here:
www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/high-fives-the-best-concerts-of-2015/
Anat Cohen brings reed genius to Seattle big band
February 23, 2015
The Israeli clarinetist/saxophonist nailed one solo after another in a highlight-packed Sunday show in Kirkland.
By Paul de Barros
Seattle Times jazz critic
Local jazz fans have been enthusiastically declaring Israeli reed whiz Anat Cohen’s concerts this past weekend with the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra (SRJO) the best shows in the 20-year-old big band’s history.
Hmm.
Past SRJO performances with Clark Terry, who died Saturday, and Terry’s protégé, Quincy Jones, were pretty great.
Let’s just say Cohen’s sparkling Sunday show at the Kirkland Performance Center — which was dedicated to Terry — not only lived up to all expectations, but more importantly it yanked the tradition-minded SRJO into the international present where jazz actually lives. And that’s a very good thing.
Artfully Edmonds review: Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra lights up ECA — will they be back?
January 24, 2015
SRJO brought the hit concert, "Quincy Jones and Ray Charles on Jackson Street" with guest artists Reggie Goings and Delvon Lamarr to Edmonds in January with great success! SRJO also presented a student workshop before the concert with students from the Edmonds School District.
Washington State declares SRJO Day!
October 2, 2014
The State of Washington has joined the cities of Seattle and Kirkland in declaring "SRJO Day!" The state-wide SRJO Day will be October 4, 2014. Click here to view the proclamation, signed by Governor Jay Inslee!
Kirkland joins the City of Seattle declaring October 5, 2014 "Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra Day"
September 29, 2014
City of Seattle Declares October 4, 2014 "Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra Day"
September 15, 2014
SRJO to play Walla Walla, May 3, 2014
April 15, 2014
SRJO, Shakespeare Walla Walla and Columbia REA present “Such Sweet Thunder: The Duke Meets the Bard” with one performance at 7:30 PM on Saturday, May 3 at the historic Gesa Power House Theatre in Walla Walla. Shakespeare Walla Walla actors, under the direction of Kevin Loomer, Director of Theatre Arts at Walla Walla Community College, will introduce each musical movement with excerpts from the Shakespearean texts which inspired the music. Other local talent to be featured will include retired Whitman College professor David Glenn on trombone. Shakespeare Walla Walla is also partnering with Whitman College to provide a day-long Jazz/Improvisation master class for local music students.
Kennelly Keys Music to sponsor SRJO's 2013-14 Season
August 1, 2014
KUOW 94.9 FM Interview with Co-Artistic Director Michael Brockman
April 11, 2013
Check out our own Co-Artistic Director Dr. Michael Brockman discuss his musical invention with KUOW's Dave Beck in "Seattle Inventor Finds Key to Solving Saxophone Discord." Click here for the article!
Listen to KPLU's Robin Lloyd read the Seattle Proclamation on air!