The Keene Jazz Orchestra is enthused to announce its upcoming Spring Concert of traditional and contemporary big band music, including two spectacular guest soloists, Greg Hopkins and Bella Holtz.  

This year’s concert features renowned trumpeter, arranger, composer and educator Greg Hopkins. A soloist/composer with the Buddy Rich Orchestra, 50-year teaching veteran at the Berklee School of Music, and collaborator with Herb Pomeroy, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Eugene Friesen, and the Prague Radio and Reykjavik Jazz Orchestras, Greg and will share a splendor of beautiful arrangements, original compositions as well as his gorgeous, iconic soloistic voice on the trumpet and flugelhorn. 

Fronting the band will be acclaimed KJO vocalist Bella Holtz, performing the music of Diane Schuur, Greg Hopkins, and more. The program includes a mix of classic and contemporary big band classics, including the music of Greg Hopkins, Count Basie, Don Sebesky, Steely Dan, and more.  

Founded by Scott Mullett, the Keene Jazz Orchestra’s mission is to perform, propagate, and provide education for American Big Band music. The 17-piece band is comprised of the Monadnock region’s finest instrumentalists, educators, and students, and boasts a résumé of performances and collaborations with some of the greatest living performers and repertoire in big band music. KJO operates under the musical direction of founding member and bassist Steve Cady, who directs Jazz Ensembles at Keene State College, is the Performing Arts Chair at Vermont Academy, and performs and teaches regionally as a bassist and music educator. 

KJO invites music fans of all ages to listen and be joyful in the company of an authentic big-band orchestra. New and returning fans of Keene Jazz Orchestra will be rewarded with a truly exciting, impressive, and impactful musical experience.  

Tickets are $15/$12 for adults/seniors. Music students (under age 21) are free and do NOT need a ticket.

Just show up on June 8th and tell us your school, no advance ticket is required, just show up Saturday evening.  

KJO is a 501c3 certified non-profit organization and is generously supported by the Barbara M. and Robert C. Cummings Fund for the Arts through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.