The Big Time Jazz Orchestra is based in Duluth and is made up of college and high school jazz instructors as well as members representing many other occupations. The ensemble programs selections from such jazz masters as Thad Jones, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Miles Davis, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Jim McNeely as well as doing works of its own ensemble members and other local composers and arrangers. BTJO is dedicated to the continuation of the art form. Part of the mission of the band is to educate youth about this uniquely American contribution to the world known as jazz. Big Time annually does a shared concert with a local school or university band, often finishing with a song performed jointly. Probably the most notable performances for BTJO have been its selection to play for the MN Music Educators Conventions in 1994 and 2001 and for the 50th anniversary convention of the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) in 2002. With its non-profit status, Big Time has been awarded grants for such activities as the commissioning of a work from jazz composer/arranger Tom Matta and bringing in arranger and virtuoso trombonist, Paul McKee, to perform with the band. Other grants funded the making of CDs, a 1999 recording at Studio M in St. Paul, and a 2006 recording through Eric Swanson, both consisting of original compositions and arrangements by current and former members of the orchestra. These grants were awarded by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council and the MN State Legislature. The band not only features fine musicianship, but also benefits local charities. Beneficiaries include such organizations as Camp Connection, Habitat for Humanity, Loaves and Fishes, KUMD - FM radio jazz programming, the University of Minnesota-Duluth's Bernstein/Krenzen Jazz Scholarship Fund, the University of Wisconsin-Superior Jazz Scholarship Fund, the Duluth Playhouse, Woodland Hills Children¹s Home, YMCA Summer Camp scholarships, the Duluth Bethel Society, the Artists Relief Fund, the Salvation Army, the Northland Youth Music Program (NYMP), KUWS - FM radio, and more. Thanks to the vision and support of its Executive Board and the commitment of its musicians, the future looks bright with plans for more grant applications, projects, help for charities, and jazz education opportunities for our area youth. Randy Lee - Artistic Director RANDY LEE teaches middle school band, jazz band, and general music in Hermantown, MN, and is an adjunct staff member for the U of M, Duluth (UMD) Music Department. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education with a minor in Jazz Studies from UMD and his Master of Science degree in Education-Instruction from the U. of Wisconsin, Superior. He is a regional representative to the Minnesota Unit of the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) and is past state chairperson, and currently secretary, of the MN Chapter of ASBDA. He was recently selected to the Executive Board of the MN Band Director¹s Association (MBDA). Mr. Lee has twice been the director of the IAJE MN Northeast Region High School Honor Jazz Band and guest directed the Wisconsin Lakeland Region High School Honor Jazz Band. Randy was awarded the "Distinguished Young Band Director of the Year" Award in Minnesota in 1991 by the state chapter of ASBDA. He is active as a saxophone clinician and professional musician including performances with the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra, the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, the Lake Superior Saxophone Quartet, Twin Ports Wind Ensemble, and as a busy free-lance musician for various jazz gigs, dances, and receptions involving everything from Dixieland duos to big bands. He has conducted the UMD Junior High Honor Band, judged the Iowa High School Jazz Championships, was asked to be the sax section coach for the MN All-State High School Jazz Ensemble, and has been a guest soloist with the UMD Jazz Bands. |
Charitable and Humanitarian Organizations Supported by BTJO Concert Proceeds Artists Relief Fund Bernstein/Krenzen UMD Jazz Scholarship Benefit Camp Connection CHUM Church, Drop-in Center, Emergency Shelter Community Action Program (CAP) Weatherization The Duluth Playhouse Habitat for Humanity Public Radio Station KUMD-FM Loaves and Fishes NYMP (Northland Youth Music Program) Summer Band Camp Fund Telecare/Friends Woodland Hills Children's Fund YMCA Summer Camp Scholarship Fund The Duluth Bethel Society KUWS - FM radio Salvation Army UWS Jazz Scholarship Fund Special Olympics |
Contact Information: Randy Lee 131 East Winona Street Duluth, MN 55803 Email BTJO: randleer1978@gmail.com |
History |
History |
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Charitable and Humanitarian Organizations Supported by BTJO Concert Proceeds Artists Relief Fund Bernstein/Krenzen UMD Jazz Scholarship Benefit Camp Connection CHUM Church, Drop-in Center, Emergency Shelter Community Action Program (CAP) Weatherization The Duluth Playhouse Habitat for Humanity Public Radio Station KUMD-FM Loaves and Fishes NYMP (Northland Youth Music Program) Summer Band Camp Fund Telecare/Friends Woodland Hills Children's Fund YMCA Summer Camp Scholarship Fund The Duluth Bethel Society KUWS - FM radio Salvation Army UWS Jazz Scholarship Fund Special Olympics |
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This page was last updated on: February 13, 2009
Big Time Jazz Orchestra |
Big Time Jazz Orchestra |
Mark Anderson Bernie Bernstein Brad Bombardier Derek Bromme |
Tom Crook Josh Greenberg Dick Heim Greg Kehl Moore |
Doris Von Bargen Matt Wasmund |
The Big Time Jazz Orchestra is based in Duluth and is made up of college and high school jazz instructors as well as members representing many other occupations. The ensemble programs selections from such jazz masters as Thad Jones, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Miles Davis, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Jim McNeely as well as doing works of its own ensemble members and other local composers and arrangers. BTJO is dedicated to the continuation of the art form. Part of the mission of the band is to educate youth about this uniquely American contribution to the world known as jazz. Big Time annually does a shared concert with a local school or university band, often finishing with a song performed jointly. Probably the most notable performances for BTJO have been its selection to play for the MN Music Educators Conventions in 1994 and 2001 and for the 50th anniversary convention of the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) in 2002. With its non-profit status, Big Time has been awarded grants for such activities as the commissioning of a work from jazz composer/arranger Tom Matta and bringing in arranger and virtuoso trombonist, Paul McKee, to perform with the band. Other grants funded the making of CDs, a 1999 recording at Studio M in St. Paul, and a 2006 recording through Eric Swanson, both consisting of original compositions and arrangements by current and former members of the orchestra. These grants were awarded by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council and the MN State Legislature. The band not only features fine musicianship, but also benefits local charities. Beneficiaries include such organizations as Camp Connection, Habitat for Humanity, Loaves and Fishes, KUMD - FM radio jazz programming, the University of Minnesota-Duluth's Bernstein/Krenzen Jazz Scholarship Fund, the University of Wisconsin-Superior Jazz Scholarship Fund, the Duluth Playhouse, Woodland Hills Children¹s Home, YMCA Summer Camp scholarships, the Duluth Bethel Society, the Artists Relief Fund, the Salvation Army, the Northland Youth Music Program (NYMP), KUWS - FM radio, and more. Thanks to the vision and support of its Executive Board and the commitment of its musicians, the future looks bright with plans for more grant applications, projects, help for charities, and jazz education opportunities for our area youth. Randy Lee - Artistic Director RANDY LEE teaches middle school band, jazz band, and general music in Hermantown, MN, and is an adjunct staff member for the U of M, Duluth (UMD) Music Department. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education with a minor in Jazz Studies from UMD and his Master of Science degree in Education-Instruction from the U. of Wisconsin, Superior. He is a regional representative to the Minnesota Unit of the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) and is past state chairperson, and currently secretary, of the MN Chapter of ASBDA. He was recently selected to the Executive Board of the MN Band Director¹s Association (MBDA). Mr. Lee has twice been the director of the IAJE MN Northeast Region High School Honor Jazz Band and guest directed the Wisconsin Lakeland Region High School Honor Jazz Band. Randy was awarded the "Distinguished Young Band Director of the Year" Award in Minnesota in 1991 by the state chapter of ASBDA. He is active as a saxophone clinician and professional musician including performances with the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra, the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, the Lake Superior Saxophone Quartet, Twin Ports Wind Ensemble, and as a busy free-lance musician for various jazz gigs, dances, and receptions involving everything from Dixieland duos to big bands. He has conducted the UMD Junior High Honor Band, judged the Iowa High School Jazz Championships, was asked to be the sax section coach for the MN All-State High School Jazz Ensemble, and has been a guest soloist with the UMD Jazz Bands. |
Executive Board of Directors: |