Events
2023 - 2024
Vocal Jazz Workshop
Friday, 7 June 2024 @ 4:00pm
Keene Middle School Band Room – Keene, NH
Free Jazz Vocal Workshop! KJO's good friend, Bella Holtz, will be doing a jazz vocal workshop on Friday, June 7, 4-5pm in the Keene Middle School Band Room. It's free!!! Come listen, come sing, come support live music!
Annual Spring Concert
Saturday, 8 June 2024 @ 7:30pm
Keene Middle School Auditorium – Keene, NH
The Keene Jazz Orchestra is thrilled to announce its upcoming Spring Concert of traditional and contemporary big band music, including two spectacular guest soloists.
This year’s concert features renowned trumpeter, arranger, composer and educator Greg Hopkins. A soloist/composer with the Buddy Rich Orchestra, 50-year teaching veteran at the Berklee School of Music, and collaborator with Herb Pomeroy, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Eugene Friesen, and the Prague Radio and Reykjavik Jazz Orchestras, Greg and will share a splendor of beautiful arrangements as well as his gorgeous, iconic soloistic voice on the trumpet and flugelhorn.
Fronting the band will be acclaimed KJO vocalist Bella Holtz, performing the music of Diane Schuur, Greg Hopkins, and more. The program includes a mix of classic and contemporary big band classics, including the music of Count Basie, Don Sebesky, Steely Dan, and more.
Founded by Scott Mullett, the Keene Jazz Orchestra’s mission is to perform, propagate, and provide education for American Big Band music. The 17-piece band is composed of the Monadnock region’s finest instrumentalists, educators, and students, and boasts a résumé of performances and collaborations with some of the greatest living performers and repertoire in big band music. KJO operates under the musical direction of founding member and bassist Steve Cady, who directs Jazz Ensembles at Keene State College, is the Performing Arts Chair at Vermont Academy, and performs and teaches regionally as a bassist and music educator.
KJO invites music fans of all ages to listen and be joyful in the company of an authentic big-band orchestra. New and returning fans of Keene Jazz Orchestra will be rewarded with a truly exciting, impressive, and impactful musical experience.
Tickets are $15/$12 for adults/seniors and are on sale starting May 22 at Toadstool Bookstore & Prime Roast in Keene NH as well as online at keenejazzorchestra.org. Keene Jazz Orchestra offers free attendance for all regional student musicians. Students do not need an advanced ticket, they can pick-up their ticket at the door on concert night.
KJO is a 501c3 certified non-profit organization and is generously supported by the Barbara M. and Robert C. Cummings Fund for the Arts through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
Thank you for your support of live music!
Tickets
Holiday Swing Dance
Saturday, 16 December 2023 @ 7:30pm
The Ballroom at Best Western Plus Hotel – Keene, NH
KHS Jazz Invitational
Friday, 26 January 2024 @ 7:00pm
Keene High School Auditorium – Keene, NH
Valentine Swing Dance
Saturday, 17 February 2024 @ 7:30pm
Ballroom at the Best Western – Keene, NH
The Keene Jazz Orchestra invites you to enjoy the Valentine spirit with the classic sounds of an authentic big-band dance. Celebrate and enjoy the brilliance of a 17-piece band fronted by dynamic vocalist Rebecca (Bella) Holtz, sharing the music of Count Basie, Glenn Miller, and Benny Goodman, at this Valentine’s celebration dance.
Founded by Scott Mullett, the Keene Jazz Orchestra's mission is to perform, propagate, and provide education for American Big Band music. The group is comprised of the Monadnock region's finest instrumentalists, educators, and students, and boasts a résumé of performances and collaborations with some of the greatest living performers and repertoire in jazz and big band music.
Music fans of all ages are welcome to dance and be joyful in the company of a live swing orchestra. Bar and food service will be available through Tempesta’s restaurant at the Best Western Plus, in Keene, NH.
Tickets are $15 adults/$12 students and are on sale at Toadstool Bookstore Keene & Prime Roast on Main Street Keene beginning on January 27, 2024 as well as right now at keenejazzorchestra.org.
KJO is a 501(c)(3) certified non-profit organization whose programming supports live music and jazz education in the Monadnock Region. We thank you for your support!
Keene Jazz Orchestra is generously supported by the Barbara M. and Robert C. Cummings Fund for the Arts of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
2022 - 2023
Spring Concert
Saturday, 3 June 2023
Special performances by NEA Jazz Master, living jazz legend, and bebop vocal pioneer Sheila Jordan. Sheila will be singing small group and big band numbers with arrangements by Amherst Jazz Professor Jeff Holmes. Joining Sheila and the KJO with be acclaimed pianist and Berklee College of Music Professor Russell Hoffman, who has performed with Billy Hart, James Moody, Joe Zawinul, and Scott Mullett. The program also includes a mix of classic and contemporary works by Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, and Les Hooper.
KHS Jazz Invitational
Friday, 27 January 2023 @ 7:00pm
Keene High School Auditorium – Keene, NH
Holiday Swing Dance
Saturday, 17 December 2022 @ 7:30pm
The Ballroom at Best Western Plus Hotel – Keene, NH
Sheila Jordan
Please consider making a donation in Scott’s honor to the
Scott Mullett Fund for
Jazz Education
You can also donate via mail
by sending a check payable to:
Keene Jazz Orchestra
39 Ridgewood Ave
Keene NH 03431
memo Scott Mullett Fund