Vancouver Jazz Orchestra Meets Brian Charette
Vancouver Jazz Orchestra Meets Brian Charette is the debut recording by the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra, a 17-piece large ensemble founded to showcase the depth of Vancouver’s jazz community through performance, education, and mentorship.
About the VJO on record
Under the artistic direction of James Danderfer and the executive direction of acclaimed saxophonist, producer, and Cellar Music Group founder Cory Weeds, the VJO brings together leading established and emerging Canadian jazz artists for a vibrant program of original compositions and arrangements. Featuring internationally acclaimed Hammond B3 master Brian Charette as special guest, the album blends big-band swing, soul-jazz grooves, Latin influences, and contemporary orchestral writing into a distinctive ensemble sound. Recorded in Vancouver and released by Cellar Music Group, the project has been widely praised as a confident debut that highlights both the orchestra’s unique musical identity and Vancouver’s standing as one of North America’s great jazz cities.
“The Vancouver Jazz Orchestra’s debut album arrives with a sense of purpose that feels both timely and reassuringly traditional. The VJO proves itself not through rhetoric but through sound.” – All About Jazz, Jack Bowers”
“All 17 pieces of the VJO deserve praise for helping James Danderfer and Cory Weeds show that VanCity can hang with the best…” – Audiophile Audition, Jeff Krow
“This latest release has (Charette) teamed up with the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra and the session is reminiscent of Jimmy Smith’s classic albums with Oliver Nelson’s Big Band… It’s a Hammond HUMMER!” – Jazz Weekly, George W. Harris
“Vancouver Jazz Orchestra Meets Brian Charette checks all the boxes — swinging charts, inspired playing from all and the added presence of Charette’s soulful organ.” – Papatamus Redux, Abe Goldstein