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The Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra

The current MVJO is made up of musicians from many of the most famous big bands, such as: Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Duke Ellington, Clark Terry, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Cab Calloway, Ray McKinley, and Tex Beneke. These musicians are some of the finest to reside in the Bay Area.

Leader Mike Vax is a product of the City of Oakland and the Oakland Public Schools, having graduated from Oakland High School in 1960. He has led a big band off and on since his days at College of the Pacific 45 years ago. A few of his credits include being first trumpet, soloist and road manager of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, as well as being co-leader while Mr. Kenton was recovering from surgery; leading the Dukes of Dixieland in New Orleans; producing and/or music directing for over 25 jazz festivals; and performing workshops for more than 1600 high schools, colleges and universities all over the world. He is currently a National Artist for the YAMAHA CORP. OF AMERICA.

The goals of the MVJO are to perform meaningful music, talk about the importance of the jazz heritage in America, bring jazz music to young people, and to offer our audiences a relaxed, entertaining atmosphere. The group rehearses and performs a jazz concert series at high schools and colleges all over the Bay Area, as well as performing at the Woodminster Amphitheater, the Calvin Simmons Theater, Yoshis Nite spot in Jack London Square, and many Northern California schools. The MVJO has also performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Filoli Mansion Concert Series, and Kimballs.

Friends of big band jazz is the support group for MVJO. This nonprofit corporation has sent students to summer jazz camps on scholarships (over $40,000.00 so far), donated funds to the Oakland Youth Orchestra, raised money for Oakland Parks and Recreation, sponsored national tours of the Stan Kenton Alumni, and sponsored a jazz festival in Prescott, AZ; as well as performing benefits for Bay Area school music departments, Lions Blind Centers, and the Oakland Ballet.