October 14, 2007:
The Jazz Kitchen
November 15, 2007:
American Cabaret Theatre
December 9, 2007:
Indiana State Museum
December  31, 2007:
Indiana Roof Ballroom
February 14, 2008:
American Cabaret Theatre
June 22, 2008:
Warren Performing Arts
Learn more:

 

 

 

 
This activity made possible, in part, by the Arts Council of Indianapolis, the Indiana Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

 


 
 

The members of the
Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra
are among the best professional musicians in Central Indiana and the Midwest. Besides performing with the IJO, all of these outstanding musicians play with many other widely varied professional ensembles such as symphony orchestras, big dance bands, jazz combos, pit orchestras for musicals, brass quintets, and rock & roll bands of all shapes and sizes. Many have performed all across the country and the world with touring acts, on cruise ships, at theme parks, with military bands, and with collegiate groups. Most have played in back-up bands and orchestras for nationally known entertainers and for world famous jazz artists. The professional performing experience held by the members of the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra makes for an impressive, dynamic ensemble ready to serve the state of Indiana with outstanding big band jazz.

In addition, many members of the IJO are heavily involved in the field of music education. Others are involved in many other aspects of the music business. Almost every member of the IJO is directly involved in the music industry on a daily basis. This professional and educational experience is outlined in the following short biographies.

 

Saxophones

Scott Hobson — lead alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet, flute, jazz soloist. Scott has a bachelor’s degree in music from Ball State University and a Master’s degree in music from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He’s taught saxophone and other music courses at Taylor University and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and continues to teach private saxophone in the Indianapolis area. Scott is currently an instrument repair technician at Paige's Music in Indianapolis.

Faith Harlan — alto sax, clarinet, flute. Faith has a Bachelor’s degree in music from Clarion University (Clarion, PA) and a Masters degree from Butler University. Faith has been a dedicated music educator for her entire adult life and is currently a band director and music teacher in the Elwood school system. She has also been active as a clinician and adjudicator.

Andy Lamke — tenor sax, clarinet, flute, jazz soloist. Andy has studied music at Indiana University and also attended the Armed Forces School of Music. He’s been a military musician for 27 years and has performed with United States Army bands all over the world. Andy was an instructor (teaching clarinet and saxophone) at the Armed Forces School of Music and is currently a member of the Indiana National Guard Band.

Josh Weirich — tenor sax, clarinet, flute, jazz soloist. Josh has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Ball State University. He has been a band director in the Zionsville Community Schools for the past several years and is also active as a clinician and adjudicator.

Pat O’Neal — bari sax, bass clarinet, clarinet, flute, piccolo, jazz soloist. Pat has bachelor’s and a master’s degree in music from Ball State University. For nearly 30 years he has taught public school music in the Richmond Indiana area. Pat also operates his own successful music performing business Have Saxophones Will Travel.

 

Trumpets

Jeff Anderson — musical director, lead trumpet.
Please click here to read Jeff’s full biography.

Gary Graziano — trumpet, flugelhorn, jazz soloist. Gary has studied music at Indiana University and at Butler University as well as receiving a bachelor’s degree from University of Louisville. He’s a full time professional musician and also maintains a large teaching studio of private trumpet students. Gary is also active as a clinician and adjudicator.

Don Smith — trumpet, flugelhorn, jazz soloist. Don has an extremely diverse playing career and is currently very involved in the Indianapolis musical theater scene. Don is also a successful musical entrepreneur running his own band booking business, Blue Thunder Entertainment. He books big bands, jazz combos, and wedding bands. www.bluethunderentertainment.com

Trombones

Vince Laine — lead trombone, jazz soloist. Vince has a bachelor’s degree in music from Ball State University and a Master’s degree in music from Indiana University. He’s been a public school music teacher and band director in the Columbus Indiana area for many years. Vince serves as principal trombonist for several Central Indiana symphony orchestras and is an active musical arranger for many Indianapolis area big bands, including the IJO.

Brad Schrock — trombone. Brad has a bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s degree in education from Ball State University. He’s a long-standing member of several Central Indiana symphony orchestras. Brad also leads the popular and successful Columbus Brass Quintet.

Ryan Fraley — split lead trombone, jazz soloist. Ryan has a bachelor’s degree in music from Ball State University and a master’s degree in music from the State University of New York. He’s an extremely active, published arranger and composer of jazz ensemble and concert band music (the IJO performs some his works). Ryan also works in many capacities for the FJH Music Company and has been very involved in various areas of music education. Please click here to read Ryan’s full biography.

Rick Balek — bass trombone. Rick studied music at University of Michigan and also received a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. A successful businessman and bandleader, Rick led the popular Detroit-based Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra.

Rhythm Section

Janet Anderson — piano. Janet has a bachelor’s degree in music from Marshall University and a Masters degree from Eastern Illinois University. For nearly 20 years she’s been a public school music teacher and choral director in Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and now currently in the Indianapolis area. Janet has served as musical director for many churches and has been active as a clinician and adjudicator.

Jason Littlefield — upright and electric bass. Jason’s presently finishing a degree in music at Ball State University. In addition to his busy jazz and commercial work, Jason has been a member of several symphony orchestras throughout the state of Indiana.

Bob Stright — vibes. As a vibist, Robert Stright has performed with Ed Schuller, Joe Lovano, Victor Lewis, Ed Shaughnessy, and Seamus Blake. His CD recordings with the Scott Fields Ensemble have received international critical acclaim. Stright completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition at the University of Wisconsin. Two of his compositions for percussion, Six Poems (for solo vibraphone) and Melodies for Drumset, won the Percussive Arts Society's Composition Contest and are published by Ludwig Music. Since moving to Indiana in 1995, Stright has taught at Butler University and Purdue University.

Ralph Johnson — drum set. Ralph has a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University. He’s a full time professional musician and is extremely active as a composer and arranger for marching bands, symphony orchestras, small groups, and jazz ensembles (including of course the IJO!). Ralph also leads the wonderfully eclectic Flip City small jazz group as well as teaching privately in the Muncie Indiana area.

Vocalists

The vocalists that regularly appear with the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra have truly impressive performing histories. This experience includes opera productions, musical theater, church music, solo performing, and numerous jazz and pop groups of all shapes and sizes.

Jalean Addington — has a bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s degree in education from Ball State University. She’s been a public school music teacher and choral director for many years in the Central Indiana area. Jalean has also been involved in church music and has taught private voice lessons.

Rick Vale — has a bachelor’s degree in music from Cornish College. He’s a published composer and arranger of choral and instrumental music (the IJO has performed his work). Rick is an active minister of music who currently directs choirs in the Central Indiana region.
Please click here to read Rick’s full biography.

Lydia McAdams — has studied music at Ball State University and also attended Cuyahoga College. She’s active as a piano performer and has formed and led professional vocal groups. Lydia also has been involved in church music.