Album Notes

The Portland Jazz Orchestra is a contemporary big band staffed by local and regional jazz professionals. Playing music from the libraries of big bands such as The Count Basie Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra and The Woody Herman Orchestra, the PJO also enjoys performing more contemporary big band literature. In addition to performing the music ensembles such as Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band and the Tom Kubis Big Band, PJO focuses on performing original compositions and arrangements written by band members. Many of these compositions are published and are highly regarded on a national level. Trombonist, Dr. Chris Oberholtzer, is the artistic director of the PJO in addition to being the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern Maine School of Music.