Duke Ellington’s Far East Suite

Inspired by the 1963-64 world tours of the Ellington orchestra, The “Far East Suite” is a captivating masterpiece that vividly captures the sounds and sights that enchanted Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn during their travels through countries such as Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Afghanistan, India, Iran, and Japan. Despite being one of Ellington’s most beloved suites, it is very rarely heard live.

Join a 15-piece band from the Ottawa Jazz Orchestra for a thrilling all-Ellington programme featuring selections from Afro Bossa, Queen’s Suite, Latin American Suite, New Orleans Suite, and more, and then culminating in a complete performance of the seminal Far East Suite in all its groovy glory.

Big Band Christmas

Get ready for the coolest Christmas show in town! The Ottawa Jazz Orchestra brings you a big band holiday celebration with dazzling arrangements of Christmas favourites and original tunes to make your festive season truly sparkle. Minimum schmalz, maximum swing! Make your Christmas a real cool yule with this fun and festive programme performed by the OJO’s 16-piece band featuring the sassy and swinging stylings of singer Diane Nalini.

My Fair Lady Goes to Town

Prepare for an extraordinary evening of big band excellence! The Ottawa Jazz Orchestra presents a thrilling programme featuring two remarkable suites, each lending unique sounds and styles.

Our programme begins with an exquisite “appetizer”: a delightful nonet suite penned by composer Terry Vosbein. This charming work comprises eight distinct musical creations, written for a unique 9-piece band with pairings of alto and baritone saxophones, trumpet and trombone, and French horn and tuba, all supported by a dynamic piano trio.

For our grand “main course,” we’re excited to serve up the incredible “My Fair Lady – My Way” suite, penned by the brilliant Johnny Richards. This astonishing reinterpretation of Lerner and Loewe’s beloved musical is brought to life by an 18-piece big band with a truly unique sound. Richards, a prolific Mexican-born composer, was renowned for his work with Stan Kenton and his contributions to film and television scores. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: the music for this performance has been meticulously prepared from the original, handwritten, and unpublished scores. Don’t miss this rare gem of lost music, brought to vivid life on stage!

Canadian Stamp and Stomp

Shake off the winter blues and immerse yourself in a scorching all-Canadian program, proudly presented by the Ottawa Jazz Orchestra!

We’ll open the show with a spectacular rendition of Oscar Peterson’s iconic “Canadiana Suite.” This legendary work, originally penned for piano trio, masterfully transports listeners across Canada’s diverse landscapes, from the vibrant Maritimes to the majestic peaks of British Columbia. Experience this timeless classic re-imagined for a powerful 16-piece big band – a truly unforgettable musical journey.

Then, prepare for the exhilarating “Stamp Collector Suite,” a thoughtful and engaging suite composed by Calgary’s Johnny Summers for Toronto jazz violin sensation Darcy Stamp. This one-of-a-kind suite promises an adventurous exploration of jazz, with unexpected and thrilling forays into gospel, funk, and even Calgary country. And the best part? Our special guest in this 17-piece band will be Darcy Stamp himself!

Beyond the Cool

Don’t miss this sublime, one-night-only programme presented by the Ottawa Jazz Orchestra! Experience the sumptuous sound of our nonet, featuring unique pairings of alto and baritone saxophones, trumpet and trombone, and French horn and tuba, all anchored by a piano trio.

We’ll kick things off with a complete performance of the celebrated “Birth of the Cool” suite, made famous by Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Gerry Mulligan, and the original nonet from their landmark 1957 recording.

You’ll love the sound of the nonet but is nine enough? We’ll find out in the second half of the show as award-winning singer and songwriter Diane Nalini joins the band for a special dectet set, featuring arrangements written exclusively for this show. Join Diane and our “little big band” for a truly unforgettable night!

Supremely Shorter

Experience the enduring legacy of Wayne Shorter, a 12-time Grammy winner whose colossal talent as a jazz saxophonist and composer left an indelible mark on music. From his pivotal roles in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Miles Davis’ Second Great Quintet, and the influential jazz fusion band Weather Report, Shorter consistently pushed boundaries. Many of his brilliant compositions are now cornerstones of the jazz standards canon. For our season finale, a 15-piece band from the Ottawa Jazz Orchestra will perform innovative big band arrangements of Shorter’s iconic original tunes. This promises to be a thrilling conclusion to our exciting season—not to be missed!