The Jazz Knights was the jazz ensemble of the United States Military Academy Band stationed at West Point, New York; it was one of the premiere jazz ensembles of the United States Army Special Bands. Originally created in 1972, they carried the tradition of American Jazz and entertain the Corps of Cadets, the “JK's” were a professional big band rehearsing for the purpose of presenting jazz ensemble music. The ensemble's mission was to serve the United States Military Academy and the American public.
Eighteen professional musicians from across the United States were auditioned for the West Point Band to be a part of the unit through an exclusive audition process. Members of the band played, recorded, and toured with musicians like Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Ahmad Jamal, Chaka Khan, Prince, Billy Cobham, the Tommy Dorsey and the Glenn Miller Orchestras, Emil Richards, David Liebman, Rufus Reid, John Clayton, Eddie Daniels, Steve Turre, Randy Brecker, Michael Abene, Jon Faddis, and Benny Golson.
Members of the group had graduated from different US-American universities such as the University of North Texas College of Music, Eastman School of Music, Indiana University, Berklee College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music. West Point Band band members were recruited and selected through an audition process specifically for service in the United States Military Academy Band at West Point. The Jazz Knights presented performances to audiences throughout the United States and Canada. The "JK's” routinely produced broadcasts and recordings that were heard in media outlets internationally. They performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.Blues Alley Big Band Jam: Jazz Knights at the Kennedy Center and for the A&E Network with the Boston Pops. Musicians/jazz artists who have served in the group over the years include Mike Burgess,Mike Burgess at The Trombone Page of the World James Cammack, James Chirillo, Alexis Cole, Jack Cooper, Paul DuBois, Matt Ingman,Matt Ingman at The Trombone Page of the World Vincent Herring, Dave Horne, Doug Lawrence, Ken McGee, Jim Perry, Harvey Tibbs,Harvey Tibbs bio page Greg Waits,Greg Waits at The Trombone Page of the World and Jamie Way.James W. Way, U.S. Navy Commodores Jazz Ensemble , and Joe Gross
Musical style
The group covered music from Fletcher Henderson through Duke Ellington and Count Basie all the way through contemporary artists such as Bob Brookmeyer and Bill Holman. A large part of their music performed was written by their own staff writers and members of the Jazz Knights themselves.
Discography U.S.M.A. Band, West Point, New York (1993) The Jazz Knights, 25th Year (1997)The Jazz Knights, 25th Year Emil Richards & the Jazz Knights (2000)Emil Richards & the Jazz Knights West Point Band Bicenntennial Recording Project, Jazz Knights: Volume VIWest Point Band Bicenntennial Recording Project, Jazz Knights: Volume VI CD, Recorded by the U.S.M.A. Jazz Knights Two Centuries of American Music Tradition (2002)Two Centuries of American Music Tradition Jazz Knights "Commissions 2006" (2006)Jazz Knights "Commissions 2006" CD, Recorded by the U.S.M.A. Jazz KnightsJazz Knights "Commissions 2006" At First Light (2008)At First Light CD, Recorded by the U.S.M.A. Jazz KnightsAt First Light Turning Points (2010)Turning Points CD, Recorded by the U.S.M.A. Jazz KnightsTurning Points
Music education An important part of the Jazz Knights mission was that of music/jazz education. Many of its members were accomplished clinicians with extensive backgrounds in music education. They performed at national music conventions including the International Association of Jazz Educators, Music Educators National Conference, the Midwest Clinic,'Sing Joy Spring' performed by The West Point Band's Jazz Knights at the 2009 Midwest Clinic the Western International Band Clinic, the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Festival, the International Society of Bassists' convention and the New York State Band Director's Association Conference in 1993 and 2008.
See also United States Army Special Bands West Point Band
References
External links The Jazz Knights podcast #1, history and description The Jazz Knights podcast #2 The Jazz Knights podcast #3 The Jazz Knights podcast #4 The Jazz Knights at All About Jazz