The SOUTH FLORIDA JAZZ ORCHESTRA is a modern Big Band comprised of some of the best jazz musicians, studio musicians, and Jazz educators in the southeastern part of the United States. Their eclectic repertoire includes many original compositions by band members, as well as classic charts from such greats as Thad Jones, Charles Mingus, John Clayton, Maria Schneider, Jim Mcneely, John Fedchock, and many more.

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Check our website for our current concert calendar!

www.southfloridajazzorchestra.com

Chuck Bergeron / Bass & Director

CHUCK BERGERON / Bass, Director
New Orleans, LA

Chuck has toured and recorded with Joe Williams, Stan Getz, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, John Fedchock, Dave Grusin, Arturo Sandoval, Rick Margitza, Freddie Cole, Patti Austin, and Elvis Costello, among many others, and is currently the musical director for Kevin Mahogany. Chuck teaches bass, history, and conducts ensembles at The University of Miami.

John Yarling / Drums

JOHN YARLING / Drums
Detroit, MI

John has played and recorded with Curtis Fuller, Pepper Adams, Ira Sullivan, Jaki Byard and The Apollo Stompers, Kevin Mahogany, and Tumbling Dice with members of The Rolling Stones. John is currently teaching at The University of Miami.

Brian Murphy / Piano

BRIAN MURPHY / Piano
Toronto, Canada

Internationally acclaimed pianist, composer and arranger, recorded and performed with many of the world's most renowned Jazz artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Woody Shaw, Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, Paquito D'Rivera, Dave Liebman, Bob Berg, and Blues greats Jimmy Witherspoon, Albert Collins and Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson.

Mike Brignola / Saxaphone

MIKE BRIGNOLA / Saxaphone
Philadelphia, PA

Mike played with jazz big band legend Woody Herman during the last 7 years of Woody's career, including 5 Concord recordings and videos.Now in his 27th year with the band, Mike is the road manager and personnel director for The Thundering Herd. He also played with the band on recordings with legends Stan Getz, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Bill Perkins, Sal Nistico,and Flip Phillips. In addition, Mike also performs with The Jaco Pastorious Big Band and The Miami Sax Quartet.

Ken Mattis / Saxophone

KEN MATTIS / Saxaphone
Florida

Born and raised in South Florida, Ken earned a Bachelor of Music in Jazz/Studio Music Performance and a Master of Music in Jazz/Studio Writing from The University of Miami. Ken's performing and recording credits include a wide range of artists and styles Ð from Randy Brecker to Barry Gibb and Roberto Carlos.

Gary Keller / Saxophone

GARY KELLER / Saxaphone
Buffalo, New York

Tours, recordings, and performances include work with Woody Herman, David Liebman, Jim McNeely, Manny Album, Kenny Werner, The Jaco Pastorius Big Band, Florida Philharmonic, New World Symphony, and the American Jazz Philharmonic. Gary is the founder of the Miami Saxophone Quartet, and a member of the University of Miami Frost School of Music faculty.

Jason Kush / Saxophone

JASON KUSH / Saxophone
Johnstown, PA

Jason has performed and/or recorded with artists and groups including Andrea Bocelli, Arturo Sandoval, Tom Scott, Eddie Daniels, The Temptations, The O'Jays, The Supremes, The Dells, and the New World Symphony.

Gary Lindsay / Saxophone

GARY LINDSAY / Saxophone -
Providence, Rhode Island
Professor of jazz writing at the Frost School of Music and director of the masters program Studio/Jazz Writing and doctoral program, and Jazz Composition. In addition to performances with the South Florida Jazz Orchestra Gary is a performer and writer with the Miami Saxophone Quartet, and author of "Jazz Arranging Techniques."

Steve Sigmond / Trombone

STEVE SIGMUND / Trombone
Santa Cruz, CA

After spending 17 years traveling with Ray Charles, Steve now enjoys performing in a variety of professional settings, both live and in the studios, in South Florida.

Noah Bellamy / Trombone

NOAH BELLAMY / Trombone -
Dayton, Ohio
Noah has performed with jazz greats such as Slide Hampton, Tim Hagans, Curtis Fuller, Phil Woods, Amhad Jamal, and Chris Potter. Noah has arranged music that has been performed by Wynton Marsalis and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Bob Belden, Fred Hersch, and Conrad Herwig.

Dante Luciani / Trombone

DANTE LUCIANI / Trombone
Trenton NJ

Lead and solo trombonist with The Woody Herman Big Band, Maynard Ferguson's Big Bop Nouveau Band, Ira Sullivan's Inter-outer Continental Quintet. Dante is the Jazz Trombone Professor and Conductor of the Concert Jazz Band at The University of Miami.

Rodrigo Gallardo / Trumpet

RODRIGO GALLARDO / Trumpet -
Miami, Florida
Winner of 3 consecutive Essentially Ellington soloist awards, and a DOWNBEAT award in 2004 for outstanding trumpet soloist. He has performed with Wynton Marsalis, John Fedchock, Benny Golson, John and Jeff Clayton, Bill Cunliffe, Terrell Stafford, and Lewis Nash.

Augie Haas / Trumpet

AUGIE HAAS / Trumpet
Milwaukee, WI

Augie has worked with artists such as Arturo Sandoval, The Dave Liebman Big Band, Maria Schneider, and Paul Anka. He has recorded with the Rob Parton JAZZTECH Big Band, Umphrey's McGee, and hip-hop artist Rihanna.

Alex Norris / Trumpet

ALEX NORRIS / Trumpet
Baltimore/ Washington DC

Alex Norris is a native of the Baltimore/ Washington DC area. A 12-year veteran of the New York Jazz scene, Alex has worked with The Village Vanguard Orchestra, The Mingus Big Band, Betty Carter, Gary Thomas, Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Big Band, Avishai Cohen, and Andy and Jerry Gonzalez. Dr. Norris is now Assistant Professor of Jazz Trumpet at the University of Miami.

Doug Bickel / Piano

DOUG BICKEL / Piano
Pittsburgh, PA

Doug has performed and recorded with many artists, including Maynard Ferguson, Arturo Sandoval, and Kevin Mahogany. He is also the Chairman of the Jazz piano department at The University of Miami.

Clean Clean

Clean Clean

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