Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra

08/25/2026

SRJO joins the world in mourning the loss of Dolly Parton, a great musician and songwriter known for her generosity. She, and her talent, were beyond category.

08/23/2026

SRJO's season with new Artistic Director Orrin Evans opens November 7 and 8 at Benaroya Hall. Season tickets are now on sale!

Swing-tennial - November 7 & 8, 2026
Big Band Heroes - February 20 & 21, 2027
Latin Jazz Legends - April 10 & 11, 2027
A Juneteenth / Father's Day Celebration - June 19 & 20, 2027

Details below.

Email from Imani Records SUBSCRIBE Dear Valued Music Fans, Thank you for being part of the Imani Records/88 Keys Family community. As most of you know, our very own Orrin Evans has stepped into

07/30/2026

While we get ready for the upcoming season, here's something to hold you over: Live at Jazz Alley, recorded over four nights this past September at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley.

The album features SRJO regulars alongside special guest vocalist Jacqueline D. Tabor and includes "The Acox Ramble," Michael Brockman's tribute to SRJO co-founder Clarence Acox.

Listen Here: https://srjo.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-jazz-alley

07/29/2026

Coming Soon! Watch this page!

We'll be announcing SRJO's 2026-27 season; our first with new bandleader Orrin Evans!! Orrin has put together an exciting series of four concerts at Benaroya Hall on Saturday nights, to be repeated on Sunday afternoons. The first will be November 7-8.

For now, here's Orrin as guest conductor of the prestigious WDR Big Band in Germany, leading the band in his arrangement of the spiritual that became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement, "This Little Light of Mine."

Ambrose Akinmusire spielt gemeinsam mit der WDR Big Band den Titel ...

07/15/2026

Nice to see this appreciation of our dearly beloved SRJO veteran, the late Hadley Caliman. Journalist Marcus J. Moore focuses on Hadley's 1970 recordings.

How an overlooked saxophonist crafted one of jazz-funk's most enduring masterpieces.

06/27/2026

Thanks to John Bishop, drummer and founder of Origin Records, for reminding us of yesterday's anniversary of the birth of Don Lanphere. Don truly fits the definition of "legend." If Hollywood ever made a musical bio, even they would have difficulty sensationalizing his life, which began on June 26, 1928, in Wenatchee. Don’s dad drove his thirteen-year old son and his friends across the mountains to hear the nationally touring big bands at the Trianon Ballroom in Seattle - Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, Charlie Barnett, Jimmie Lunceford, and Sonny Dunham. Don left the PNW to study at Chicago’s Northwestern University, and from there to New York and its fervent 52nd Street jazz scene of the late 1940s. Don’s current status in jazz history remains near-mythical, although he recorded with peers Fats Navarro and Max Roach. Don’s style evolved to incorporate the velocity and harmonic changes of Bebop, but his rich tone on tenor would always evoke his Swing Era idols Ben Webster and Lester Young. Unfortunately, Don also fell under the scourge or he**in, which was epidemic in the jazz world. He would credit meeting his wife Midge and the love and strength of Jesus Christ for breaking his addiction. A clean and healthy Don went on a lengthy career following a return to the PNW in 1952. His numerous recordings, both sacred and secular, were all infused with love. Moreover he was a giant presence in our community. Don taught hundreds of students both formally and informally. You might have caught him on a bandstand at Tula’s jazz club, for example, telling a high schooler, “Let’s trade eights.”

Don Lanphere was a founding member of SRJO. He played a leading role in the 1995 Duke Ellington Sacred Music Concert, which was SRJO’s first appearance as a formally organized ensemble. Don continued playing in the band right up to his passing in 2003 (his final performance with SRJO was in our July 2003 concert titled "Big Band Thelonious Monk" performed at UW’s Meany Hall.

We proudly share our recording featuring Don’s favorite “Blue and Sentimental.” In the first comment we’re also sharing Origin Records’ bio of Don.

What a legacy we have received!

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard EnterprisesBlue And Sentimenta...

06/25/2026

Last night, a packed room at Town Hall Seattle gathered to honor Michael Brockman as he steps back after 31 years leading the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra.

The evening opened with an SRJO quintet, a slideshow running alongside the music that reached all the way back to the orchestra's earliest years. Tributes came from John Gilbreath, Paul de Barros, band member Sidney Hauser, Branford Marsalis, Maria Schneider, and Christian McBride.

A special tribute came from Clarence Acox, who co-founded SRJO alongside Michael and helped build the orchestra from the ground up.

Michael spoke too, and saved some of his warmest words for his wife, Betsy. He also thanked SRJO's supporters, season ticket holders, volunteers, staff, the Board, and their partners.

The night closed with a jam: Jacqueline Tabor opening with the quintet on "I Didn't Know What Time It Was (I Met Michael Brockman)," then SRJO players filling the stage, Michael among them, for a final "Nostalgia in Times Square."

Thank you to Simply Soulful for the food, and to Jim Levitt for the photographs.

Thirty-one years, Michael. Thank you for all of it.

06/24/2026

Sound Check for Michael Brockman’s Retirement Party! C’mon down to Town Hall! Doors open soon. Food and drink. Music and program at 8:00. Cake will be served!

06/23/2026

Tonight! Michael Brockman's Retirement Party!

Town Hall Seattle 7:00-9:00. There will be food, drink, and lots of music. Come celebrate Michael's tenure as SRJO Bandleader and wish him continued success in his future ventures!