Horizons Jazz Orchestra @ Boca Black Box
The Horizons Jazz Orchestra (HJO), directed by Musical Director trombonist Michael Balogh, has 16 of South Florida’s best JAZZ musicians who play very challenging Jazz Orchestrations from modern day composers. HJO is a swinging big band with a lush, melodic, and very approachable sound. It doesn't try to be avant-garde; rather, it has a dance-able, crowd-pleasing appeal. With sterling musicianship, exciting arrangements of the American songbook, and contemporary composers (Sammy Nestico, Gordon Goodwin, Chuck Mangione), this Jazz Orchestra delivers.
The HJO released their first CD: "The Brite Side - the music of Lee Harris" unfortunately as we went into lockdown, but it still garnered rave reviews. Here are a few:
All About Jazz by Ed Blanco (4.16.2020) - “A compelling package of big band music that is a pleasure to hear. What a delicious plate of big band music, as 'The Brite Side' truly succeeds in serving quite a dish of powerful and memorable swinging big band music, deeply rooted in the Kenton tradition, a plus for any ensemble.” - www.allaboutjazz.com
Contemporary Fusion Reviews by Dick Metcalf (7.26.2020) - “Superbly satisfying big band swing featuring tunes like “Fourth Dimension” – one of the BEST songs I’ve listened to (yet) in 2020… many moods are explored – and YOU get to ride along on this awesome aural adventure!” - contemporaryfusionreviews.com
Bebop Spoken Here (UK) by Lance Liddle (9.12.2020) - “A tremendous example of the big band music of today… Reminiscent, albeit updated, of the latter day bands of Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson and Stan Kenton. It’s adventurous but without losing the ability to swing the gate off your fence or to stop you dancing, although it’s far from being a dance band.” - www.lance-bebopspokenhere.blogspot.com
Jazz2Love by Susan Frances (11.27.2020) - “Merriment galore… Brimming with bright, flashy horns, the recording embraces swing and ballroom jazz in a way that is both nostalgic and contemporary… The music is a genuine crowd pleaser.” “Embracing both adventurous excursions and traditional motifs, HJO’s recording updates the big band style to modern listeners’ liking with ardent and sophisticated performances.” - www.jazz2love.blogspot.com
The HJO released their first CD: "The Brite Side - the music of Lee Harris" unfortunately as we went into lockdown, but it still garnered rave reviews. Here are a few:
All About Jazz by Ed Blanco (4.16.2020) - “A compelling package of big band music that is a pleasure to hear. What a delicious plate of big band music, as 'The Brite Side' truly succeeds in serving quite a dish of powerful and memorable swinging big band music, deeply rooted in the Kenton tradition, a plus for any ensemble.” - www.allaboutjazz.com
Contemporary Fusion Reviews by Dick Metcalf (7.26.2020) - “Superbly satisfying big band swing featuring tunes like “Fourth Dimension” – one of the BEST songs I’ve listened to (yet) in 2020… many moods are explored – and YOU get to ride along on this awesome aural adventure!” - contemporaryfusionreviews.com
Bebop Spoken Here (UK) by Lance Liddle (9.12.2020) - “A tremendous example of the big band music of today… Reminiscent, albeit updated, of the latter day bands of Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson and Stan Kenton. It’s adventurous but without losing the ability to swing the gate off your fence or to stop you dancing, although it’s far from being a dance band.” - www.lance-bebopspokenhere.blogspot.com
Jazz2Love by Susan Frances (11.27.2020) - “Merriment galore… Brimming with bright, flashy horns, the recording embraces swing and ballroom jazz in a way that is both nostalgic and contemporary… The music is a genuine crowd pleaser.” “Embracing both adventurous excursions and traditional motifs, HJO’s recording updates the big band style to modern listeners’ liking with ardent and sophisticated performances.” - www.jazz2love.blogspot.com