the empire jazz orchestra

The Empire Jazz Orchestra recorded three Frank Zappa pieces on their "Anniversary" album.

The EJO, short for the Empire Jazz Orchestra, started out as an octet in 1992. One year later, the EJO was expanded to a full-size big band and began to present two annual concerts at Schenectady County Community College (the SCCC is a part of the State University of New York). Shortly thereafter, the SCCC named the Empire Jazz Orchestra "Jazz Orchestra in Residence".

In the meantime, the Empire Jazz Orchestra has become a professional jazz ensemble, performing works by Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus and Frank Zappa, to name a few. Guest artists have included Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, Nick Brignola, Lew Soloff and Randy Brecker.

To date, the EJO has released three albums. The latest one included three Frank Zappa compositions.

discography

1	the empire jazz orchestra: live and kickin'     (1999, cd, usa, ejo-001)
2	the empire jazz orchestra: the ejo plays ellington     (2000, cd, usa, ejo-002)
3	the empire jazz orchestra: anniversary     (2003, cd, usa, ejo-003) - incl. various frank zappa compositions