American military jazz band
The Jazz Knights were a part of the U.S.M.A. Band from 1972 to 2015 The Jazz Knights performing at Eisenhower Hall The Jazz Knights was the jazz ensemble of the United States Military Academy Band stationed at West Point, New York ; it was one of the premiere jazz ensembles of the United States Army Special Bands . Originally created in 1972, they carried the tradition of American Jazz and entertain the Corps of Cadets , the “JK's” were a professional big band rehearsing for the purpose of presenting jazz ensemble music. The ensemble's mission was to serve the United States Military Academy and the American public.
Eighteen professional musicians from across the United States were auditioned for the West Point Band to be a part of the unit through an exclusive audition process. Members of the band played, recorded, and toured with musicians like Count Basie , Buddy Rich , Woody Herman , Maynard Ferguson , Ahmad Jamal , Chaka Kahn , Prince , Billy Cobham , the Tommy Dorsey and the Glenn Miller Orchestras , Emil Richards , David Liebman , Rufus Reid , John Clayton , Eddie Daniels , Steve Turre , Randy Brecker , Michael Abene , Jon Faddis , and Benny Golson .
Members of the group had graduated from different US-American universities such as the University of North Texas College of Music , Eastman School of Music , Indiana University , Berklee College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music . West Point Band band members were recruited and selected through an audition process specifically for service in the United States Military Academy Band at West Point . The Jazz Knights presented performances to audiences throughout the United States and Canada . The "JK's” routinely produced broadcasts and recordings that were heard in media outlets internationally. They performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.[ 1] A&E Network with the Boston Pops . Musicians/jazz artists who have served in the group over the years include Mike Burgess,[ 2] James Cammack , James Chirillo , Alexis Cole , Jack Cooper , Paul DuBois , Matt Ingman,[ 3] Vincent Herring , Dave Horne , Doug Lawrence , Ken McGee , Jim Perry , Harvey Tibbs,[ 4] [ 5] [ 6]
A 2013 performance by the Jazz Knights
The group covered music from Fletcher Henderson through Duke Ellington and Count Basie all the way through contemporary artists such as Bob Brookmeyer and Bill Holman . A large part of their music performed was written by their own staff writers and members of the Jazz Knights themselves.
An important part of the Jazz Knights mission was that of music/jazz education . Many of its members were accomplished clinicians with extensive backgrounds in music education. They performed at national music conventions including the International Association of Jazz Educators , Music Educators National Conference , The Midwest Clinic ,[ 17] New York State Band Director’s Association Conference in 1993 and 2008.
^ Blues Alley Big Band Jam: Jazz Knights at the Kennedy Center Archived 2012-11-02 at the Wayback Machine ^ Mike Burgess at The Trombone Page of the World ^ Matt Ingman at The Trombone Page of the World ^ Harvey Tibbs bio page ^ Greg Waits at The Trombone Page of the World ^ James W. Way, U.S. Navy Commodores Jazz Ensemble Archived 2011-11-02 at the Wayback Machine , and Joe Gross^ The Jazz Knights, 25th Year OCLC 56341669 , 222895992 ^ Emil Richards & the Jazz KnightsOCLC 76881393 ^ West Point Band Bicenntennial Recording Project, Jazz Knights: Volume VI CD, Recorded by the U.S.M.A. Jazz Knights^ Two Centuries of American Music Tradition OCLC 55626988 ^ Jazz Knights "Commissions 2006" CD, Recorded by the U.S.M.A. Jazz Knights^ Jazz Knights "Commissions 2006" OCLC 63671130 ^ At First Light CD, Recorded by the U.S.M.A. Jazz Knights^ At First Light OCLC 317557232 , 847764827 ^ Turning Points CD, Recorded by the U.S.M.A. Jazz Knights^ Turning Points OCLC 795237220 , 847765240 ^ 'Sing Joy Spring' performed by The West Point Band's Jazz Knights at the 2009 Midwest Clinic
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