The Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra, started in April 1999, was initially started as a rehearsal band for Gwinnell to hear his compositions and arrangements played.
In 2009, the SGJO was chosen to be part of a big project proposed by the Detroit Jazz Festival. The artist-in-residence, bassist/composer John Clayton, was commissioned to write a suite based on Detroit jazz legends. The SGJO would play a series of summer concerts, with the finale being a performance, closing that year’s festival. The suite paired the Clayton Brothers with the SGJO in a 55 minute concerto grosso. All of the musicians performed greatly, receiving a 5 minute standing ovation.
Some of the frequent musicians involved with the Cliff Bells SGJO group are: Keith Kaminski, James Hughes, Steve Wood, Carl Cafagna, and Mark Berger on sax. Dave Jensen, Terry Kimura, Tony Buccilli, and Stefan Stolarchuk on trombone. Trumpets are Bob Jensen, Paul Finkbeiner, John Douglas, and Justin Walter. Jordan Schug plays bass and Scott Kretzer plays drums.
The most recent project has been a recording of the music of Mulgrew Miller. Arranged by myself, it puts a new spin on some of Mulgrew’s well and lesser known works as well as my original music. The record will be released in 2017.
The Oxford High School Jazz Band will open.