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. With encouragement from friend/musicians and an offer of a weekly gig at the Music Menu Cafe in Detroit’s Greektown, Gwinnell and fellow musicians made a committment to present high quality big band jazz music. Even though Gwinnell’s music was the centerpiece of the then called, Music Menu Jazz Orchestra, charts by other local musicians and other contemporary charts by Thad Jones, Bob Brookmeyer, and Charles Mingus.
The most recent project has been a recording of the music of Mulgrew Miller. Arranged by Scott, it puts a new spin on some of the pianist’s well and lesser known works as well as my original music.
A student band starts the show at 7 pm, with Scott’s band coming on around 8 pm.