Described as “a magical, musical alchemist of hip hybrids” (Hartford Courant) and “a major force in the world of jazz composition” (Dan Bilawsky, AllAboutJazz.com), MacDonald’s inexhaustible commitment to the jazz…
Lou joined the Hartford Jazz Orchestra as a young lad, way back in 1992. His impressive educational pedigree includes studies at the University of New Haven, UCONN, WCSU, ECSU and CCSU! Having retired from Middle School…
Our drummer, Tom Devino joined the Hartford Jazz Orchestra “full-time” in 2014, after having served as an alternate since 2000. He’s from Waterbury, but now resides in Middlebury. Tom received his postsecondary education…
Jeff Taylor graduated with Bachelor of Music degree (cum laude) from the University of Connecticut in 1983. He spent seven years “on the road” with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, playing lead alto sax and clarinet throughout the United…
Our lead tenor man, Mike Leventhal hails from Shelton, CT. He joined the HJO back in 2001, took a hiatus for several years, and then came back in 2018. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Mike’s influences include Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins…
Ryan Emken is new to the band, joining in 2022. He currently resides in Westfield, MA, where he also grew up and attended university. He teaches 7th & 8th grade band and general music at Westfield Middle School. As a saxophonist…
Lisa grew up in Old Saybrook, Connecticut and currently resides in New Britain. She earned her B.A. in classical saxophone performance from the University of Connecticut and an MA from Nova Southeastern University in…
Ben Griffin has played with the HJO since 2007. His rousing solos reflect his vast musical influences. Ben studied classical trombone at UMass Amherst and earned a degree in jazz trombone at the Manhattan School of Music…
Dan Hendrix is a first call freelance trombone player/arranger residing in Western Massachusetts. He received his degree in studio music and jazz performance on a full scholarship at the University of Miami, with a focus on…
Freddie B,” as the band calls him, grew up in Simsbury and currently lives in West Hartford. He joined the HJO in the early 2000s. He’s a graduate of Iowa State University and North Bennett Street School (Dept. of Stringed Keyboard Instrument…
Bass trombonist Mitch Mangan is the newest member of the band. The Manchester native joined the Hartford Jazz Orchestra in April, 2022 when we started playing at Elicit Brewing. Mitch earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree…
Patrick Lennon is a professional trumpet player and the director of bands at Sedgwick Middle School in West Hartford, CT. Previous to this Mr. Lennon was a band director in Easthampton, MA for 16 years. He has been teaching since…
In addition to sharing the lead trumpet responsibilities and being a stellar soloist, Dave Stangarone serves as the band’s current manager. Dave is originally from Windsor, CT and now resides in Wethersfield with his wife, 3 kids and…
Like many within our roster, Hank “subbed” with the orchestra first (starting in 1999), before joining as a full-time member in 2015. Hank is a graduate of the Hartt School of Music and works entirely as a freelance trumpeter. He cites…
HJO trumpeter Brian Wallace has been an HJO sub for years, joining the roster as a full-time member in 2022. He attended the Berklee College of Music where he fell in love with the music of Lee Morgan, Claudio Roditi, Cubanismo, and…
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