The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra is comprised of the Bay Area's top jazz artists. Since January 2, 1995, the CJO continues to perform every Monday Night at Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco's North Beach form 8:30 to Midnight.

Pictured above:  Charles McNeil, Kim Nalley, DirectorAlex Budman, Adam Theis, Bill Theurer

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1. Passion Dance: McCoy Tyner 2. A Penthouse Dawn : Oliver Nelson 3. Minor's Holiday: Kenny Dorham 4. Interlude: Matt Clark 5. Oclupaca: Duke Ellington 6. Once Around: Thad Jones 7. Miss Fine: Oliver Nelson 8. Black, Brown, and Beautiful: Oliver Nelson 9. Fingers: Thad Jones

Saxophones: Alex Budman, Charles McNeil, Tod Dickow, Gene Burkert, Howard Cespedes, Jason McElroy   Trumpets: Bill Theurer, Dave Scott, Steffen Kuehn, Rolf Johnson, Mike Olmos   Trombones: Derek James, Adam Theis, Mike Rinta, John Brummel   Piano: Matt Clark, Bass: Mike Bacile, Drums: Andrew Eberhard

1. Tomorrow's Blues Today: Frank Foster 2. Invitation: Bronislaw Kaper 3. Angel Eyes: Dennis/Brent 4. Dolphin Dance: Herbie Hancock 5. Night in Tunisia: Dizzy Gillepsie 6. Basic-ally Yours: Thad Jones

Saxophones: Christopher Pitts, Harvey Wainapel, Eric Crystal, Tod Dickow, Ron Stahlings, Steve Adams   Trumpets: Bill Theurer, Warren Gale, Chuck MacKinnon, Dave Scott   Trombones: Marty Wehner, Mike Busbe, Derrick James, Chuck Bennett   Piano: Mark Levine, Bass: John Wiitala, Drums: Danny Spencer Guitar: Brad Buethe

CDs are also by check or money order available from Jazznation Records. 1 800 274-1417 In the USA send $14 per CD, or add $2.50 per CD for international orders, in a check payable to: Jazznation Records

"Thank the gods of music... This outfit plays great bop and postbop music."  JAZZ NOW

"There is something wonderful about walking into the midst of a hard-blowing band playing tough arrangements, complex section riffs and challenging solos. The CJO is not re-creating the swing era, it's creating both band sounds and solos within the context of the post-bop era."  SF Examiner 

CJO's Mission: 

• To promote the modern big band jazz tradition by featuring the works of Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie, Oliver Nelson, Duke Ellington, Quincy, Gil Evans, and others. 
• To showcase individual performers and give them the modern big band experience which is increasingly rare in today's music community. 
• To provide a forum for new composers and arrangers to experiment and hone their talents. 
• To introduce new audiences to the depth and richness of this tradition.
• To showcase internationally recognized artists in the big band context.

Bay Area performances have also featured international guest artists John Handy, Eddie Marshall, Madeline Eastman, Bruce Forman, Warren Gale, Mike Clark, Tim Hagans, Grover Washington Jr., Ronnie Cuber, Steve Slagel, Regina Carter, Winard Harper, Marvin Stamm, Danny Spencer, and Herb Geller.

Founded by Christopher Bonnier Pitts, The CJO has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the San Francisco Black & White Ball (pictured above), Spreckels Performing Arts Series,The Filmore Jazz Festival, The San Anselmo Festival, the Bach, Dancing & Dynamite Society, KCSM's Jazz on the Hill, and many private functions. Over 10,000 people have seen the CJO in the Bay Area and people as far away as Denmark have heard the band on the radio.