TCMF Spotlight: Austin Jazz Band

The Austin Jazz band, a longtime member of the TCMF family, will be performing Sunday, April 21 at 4:00pm, at Central Market North.  

 

The Austin Jazz Band is a diverse group of twenty professional and amateur Austin Jazz Musicians who share a love for contemporary big band music.The band was formed in 1993 by Bobby Davis, The AJB musical director, and trumpeter and co-founder Steve Fleckman, an Austin based attorney. The intent of the organization was to form a quality rehearsal band that would meet on a regular basis to perform contemporary big band charts, and simultaneously, foster interest in jazz performance among all, especially young musicians in the local schools.

As well as amateur musicians who continue to sustain their interest in jazz, the ensemble draws musicians from the universities, the symphony, the ranks of music educators, and professional jazz and other performing groups. Approximately half the performers are professional musicians. It meets a unique need in the Austin community for a modern big band in which musicians can develop their jazz soloing and ensemble skills in a nonprofit setting. Each year since its inception, the AJB has progressively grown stronger, with an increasing ability to perform the more challenging arrangements.

The Austin Jazz Band regularly performs in various live setting. That includes local Jazz venues regularly, area wide jazz festivals, radio broadcasts, and concerts with guest artists. Previous engagements have included Clarksville and Galveston jazz festivals, Dougherty Arts Center, and the University of Texas “live Set” performance. The band has also been broadcast via the Austin Music Network and had wonderful guest performers from Austin, Houston, and Chicago.

For more information, check out The Austin Jazz Band’s website.

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