About Me
The Fort Worth Jazz Orchestra, Inc. (FWJO). FWJO is a registered 501 (c) (3) nonprofit committed to the preservation, teaching and performance of America's art form, Jazz. A very unique blend of music, jazz’s mixture places it in a category of its own. Although born in New Orleans, jazz has been adopted, transformed and its message carried on by musicians to every corner of the world. Combining the elements of Ragtime, the Blues and Marching Band music, jazz became popular during the turn of the century and has given New Orleans its unique place in history.FWJO’s mission will be accomplished through the following components:Educational Programs Private instruction to help young aspiring musicians keep jazz alive. In Fall 2007, lessons will be offered to students in the Fort Worth Independent School District and private school students by FWJO Artistic Director, Adonis Rose and special guest instructors. These valuable lessons give students the tools they need for performance skills and excellence.Collaboration with the University of Texas at Arlington, with primary goals of improving their jazz training program and developing music scholarships for students to attend the university.Beginning summer 2008, FWJO will present Jazz@FortWorth, a two-week training camp for twenty-five young aspiring jazz artists. Jazz@FortWorth will bring accomplished jazz professionals to teach during the camp, and will perform along with the students at public recitals.Live Performances Continuing on the success of the 2006-2007 Presenting Series, the 2007-2008 series will begin September, 2007 and run through May 2008. Jazz masterpieces by Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie as well as original compositions by Artistic Director Adonis Rose will be performed by the 16-piece Orchestra. The orchestra, which is comprised of area musicians, would complete the cycle of jazz in its truest form by allowing local musicians to showcase their natural talents and abilities.“Informances†– Lectures and performances from legendary jazz musicians and educators. “Informances†allows an audience a chance to discuss music styles with guest musicians in an intimate setting.The Fort Worth Jazz Orchestra is dedicated to exposing the people of Fort Worth to jazz and revealing the benefits of the arts both economically and socially. Many cities around the country are implanting similar programs in which the arts are quickly being recognized as a wonderful impact on their city’s economic future.During the inaugural 2006 – 2007 season, The Fort Worth Jazz Orchestra has achieved the following: On November 16, 2006, the Fort Worth Jazz Orchestra held it’s first “Presenting Series†concert. The home of the Presenting Series is McDavid Studio, adjacent to the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall. During the 2007 spring semester, private lessons along with jazz preservation and research education have been offered to approximately twenty-five students in the Fort Worth area. Artistic Director Adonis Rose represented the FWJO as Artist in Residence at Duke University in North Carolina, during part of the Spring 2007 semester. Adonis also recently served as Artist in Residence at The University of Texas at Arlington.
