Major crowd funding campaign pays homage to the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra’sco-music director and legendary composer/keyboardist

To honor the legacy of the trailblazing musician, former Symphonic Jazz Orchestra (SJO) Co-Music Director and ASCAP board member, George Duke, the SJO has recently opened the George Duke Commissioning Prize competition to all direct ASCAP composer members, with a submission deadline of July 17th. The Music Advisory Board of the SJO will select the winning composer, who will be commissioned to write a new orchestral score for the SJO blending jazz & classical music – and more. The newly commissioned work will be premiered by the 67-piece SJO in 2016/17 and entered in to the SJO’s catalog of symphonic jazz commissions.

The late composer and keyboard player, George Duke (1946 – 2013), was a peerless musical innovator and creator, as well as a mentor to many. His output as a recording artist was vast, from collaborations with Cannonball Adderly to Jean-Luc Ponty, Frank Zappa to Dianne Reeves, to over 40 albums as a solo artist. Simply put, George Duke had a major impact on the landscape of jazz, r&b, funk, pop and classical music.

Created in 2002, the 67-member Symphonic Jazz Orchestra is dedicated to blending the worlds of jazz and classical music through its commissioning, performing and educational programs. Led by Music Director Mitch Glickman, the ensemble has performed throughout Southern California with leading guest artists including Dave Grusin, Christian McBride, Raul Midon, Lee Ritenour, The Yellowjackets, and George Duke.

The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra/George Duke Commissioning Prize is made possible in part by a grant from The ASCAP Foundation Louis Armstrong Fund and the Bart Howard Fund.

For eligibility and details how to apply for the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra/George Duke Commissioning Prize, please visit www.SJOmusic.org or call 310-876-8130.

Los Angeles – George Duke was a musical innovator, creator, and mentor to so many. His legacy as a recording artist is vast, from Cannonball Adderly to Jean-Luc Ponty, Frank Zappa to Dianne Reeves, to over 40 recordings as a solo artist. Simply put, George forever changed the landscape of jazz, r&b, funk, pop and classical music.

For over nine years, George Duke served as co-music director of the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra.  During his tenure, George appeared in numerous concerts and benefits as a soloist with the SJO, and in 2011 was commissioned to compose a new concerto for bass soloistChristian McBride and the 67-member SJO.

 

To honor the memory of George Duke, the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra is launching the much anticipated “George Duke Legacy Project.”  This project encompasses thespirit of “Playing It Forward,” by celebrating George’s music and creating new musical opportunities for the next generation.  To that end, funds raised for the George Duke Legacy Project will make the recording of his tour-de-force “Bass Concerto” a reality.

For information about the exciting benefits of being part of this project, please visit our George Duke Legacy Project website by clicking here  or call 310-876-8130.

 

You can be a part of George Duke’s Legacy and “Play it Forward!”

 

About the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra

Created in 2002, the 67-member Symphonic Jazz Orchestra is uniquely dedicated to:

 

• Commission and perform symphonic jazz compositions, a musical genre that blends the American language of jazz with European orchestral traditions.
• Educate and inspire the next generation of listeners through its Music in the Schools residencies, Community Outreach Program, and free student and community concerts.

Over the course of its 13-year history, the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra (SJO), lead by music Director Mitch Glickman, has commissioned and premiered 16 new works featuring such leading jazz artists as George Duke, Peter Erskine, Dave Grusin, Christian McBride, Raul Midon, Lee Ritenour, and The Yellowjackets. Through its Music in the Schools program, the SJO has served over 40,000 young people and their families across Southern California.

 

Win a FREE Yamaha PR7 Digital Recorder  

We are in the final countdown to the official launch on Sept. 28th. That’s when the IndieGogo campaign for The George Duke Legacy Project goes live and you can become involved at various levels and benefits.  In the interim, The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra is  presenting a sweepstakes to ‘start the buzz’ on the campaign by giving away a Yamaha digital recorder.

Click the picture above to enter and win  this awesome digital recorder and be an integral part of funding the recording of The George Duke Legacy Project !

For over eight years, George Duke served as co-music director of the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra. During his tenure, George appeared in numerous concerts and benefits as soloist with the SJO, and in 2011 composed a new concerto for bass soloist Christian McBride and the SJO.

The project will raise funds through an Indiegogo crowd sourcing campaign for the:

• Recording of George Duke’s “Bass Concerto” for Christian McBride & the 67-member Symphonic Jazz Orchestra
• Creation of the ASCAP/George Duke Commissioning Competition
• SJO’s ongoing “Music in the Schools” residency programs in underserved communities throughout Southern California