Jim McNeely is one of the most progressive composers within contemporary big band jazz. Especially for the JOC he wrote nine brand new pieces, which together form our now latest album Threnody (2022). McNeely created the pieces from the musical bio's of the JOC musicians, in which drummer and curator Martijn Vink zoomed in on the talents and interests of the individual band members. Threnody is an album that relates to society and its issues, and encompasses the entire range of human emotions. It is also Martijn Vink who leads the orchestra from behind his drums.
About Jim McNeely
Jim McNeely, known from working with the Stan Getz Quartet, Phil Woods Quintet and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, works as a conductor for numerous international big bands and received 10 Grammy nominations between 1997 and 2019, while winning one. He is one of the last people to work from the philosophy of the New York tradition of the Thad Jones - Mel Lewis Orchestra, involving the idea that the musicians themselves are the starting point and the emphasis is on progression, challenge and musical development.
Jazz & Innovation
Jazz is a living concept. It has been redefined again and again since its beginning with each generation adding new ideas.
The JOC embraces this continuous development and gives jazz musicians of all ages ample opportunity to perform, compose and continue the development of the genre, together with us.
This approach directly relates to the artistic policy of the JOC, giving new compositional and improvisational ideas a central place, further developing the genre.
(Photo JOC, Joshua Redman & Jim Mcneely by Kevin Knipping Photography)
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