Founded in 2009, the Missouri Jazz Orchestra, also known as MOJO, is an ensemble of professional musicians and music educators with a passion for the past, present and future of an original American art form, Jazz. 

 

For the entirety of its existence, the Missouri Jazz Orchestra had been performing twice monthly to read charts, improvise, and propagate the rich traditions of jazz, America’s original art form. We strive for excellence in both the written and improvisational aspects of jazz, and the unparalleled musicianship of our members—many of whom have been with the band since the founding—means that every performance is a profound experience. 

 

Core inspirations for the group include the Count Basie Orchestra and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra (now the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra). Our extensive library includes charts written and arranged by jazz luminaries such as Thad Jones, Sammy Nestico, Bob Mintzer, Quincy Jones, Duke Ellington, Benny Carter, Bob Brookmeyer, Oliver Nelson, and many more.

 

Join us as we move forward into a new era as a resident arts organization at the Gillioz Center for Arts and Entertainment, an historic theater in Springfield, Missouri committed to preserving the past, celebrating community, and making memories through arts, education, and entertainment. By booking the finest jazz musicians in the world as guest artists, we plan on turning a community already rich in the arts into a premier destination for jazz. 

 

As a 501C3 tax-exempt non-profit organization, the Missouri Jazz Orchestra relies on donations from the public. If you would like to support us, please click here to make a contribution through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.