The Keene Jazz Orchestra was formed in April, 2002 under the direction of Scott Mullett. The intent of the Orchestra is to offer a challenging setting in which local musicians of advanced abilities may study repertoire of big bands past and present. The band hopes to share with our community the big band sound being that it is one of America’s great contributions to world culture. The Keene Jazz Orchestra is made up of local music teachers, students from the local schools, and other area adult musicians. The orchestra continues to provide an outlet for local musicians to hone their jazz abilities and share them with the community.
Revenue generated at the KJO events is used send our student players to jazz music camp, to pay for guest clinicians to come to Keene to work with area musicians, and to purchase music for the band to play. The Keene Jazz Orchestra has successfully embarked on its goal of bringing fine soloists and instructors to give clinics for local jazz musicians. To date, Dick Johnson, Jeff Galindo, Jerry Bergonzi, Richie Cole, Mike Duke, Bill Prince, and Dennis Noday have presented workshops which have been free and open to the public.