About Us
The Austin Jazz Band is a diverse group of twenty professional and amateur Austin Jazz Musicians who share a love for contemporary big band music.The band was formed in 1993 by Bobby Davis, The AJB musical director, and trumpeter and co-founder Steve Fleckman, an Austin based attorney. The intent of the organization was to form a quality rehearsal band that would meet on a regular basis to perform contemporary big band charts, and simultaneously, foster interest in jazz performance among all, especially young musicians in the local schools.
As well as amateur musicians who continue to sustain their interest in jazz, the ensemble draws musicians from the universities, the symphony, the ranks of music educators, and professional jazz and other performing groups. Approximately half the performers are professional musicians. It meets a unique need in the Austin community for a modern big band in which musicians can develop their jazz soloing and ensemble skills in a nonprofit setting. Each year since its inception, the AJB has progressively grown stronger, with an increasing ability to perform the more challenging arrangements.
Because a number of the AJB members, both regular and substitute, are music teachers in the Austin area, it was natural for this group to become a resource for jazz education. The Austin Jazz Band encourages local middle and high school students to attend rehearsal and to observe at close hand, in a relaxed setting, the rehearsal techniques of a mature big band. During the rehearsals, the students are invited to sit with the AJB sections, and to talk and learn with the musicians about their mutual interests in jazz and instrument development skills specific to the specific horn and section. We are constantly looking for new ways to reach out to the community and young musicians in the Austin area to assist in musical development.
The Austin Jazz Band regularly performs in various live setting. That includes local Jazz venues regularly, area wide jazz festivals, radio broadcasts, and concerts with guest artists. Previous engagements have included Clarksville and Galveston jazz festivals, Dougherty Arts Center, and the University of Texas "live Set" performance. The band has also been broadcast via the Austin Music Network and had wonderful guest performers from Austin, Houston, and Chicago.
To see some more info on our history - click here
To see some pictures of the band -- click here
See Photos of us by section and individually - click below:
The Saxes The Bones The Trumpets The Rhythm section Vocals Musical Director
As well as amateur musicians who continue to sustain their interest in jazz, the ensemble draws musicians from the universities, the symphony, the ranks of music educators, and professional jazz and other performing groups. Approximately half the performers are professional musicians. It meets a unique need in the Austin community for a modern big band in which musicians can develop their jazz soloing and ensemble skills in a nonprofit setting. Each year since its inception, the AJB has progressively grown stronger, with an increasing ability to perform the more challenging arrangements.
Because a number of the AJB members, both regular and substitute, are music teachers in the Austin area, it was natural for this group to become a resource for jazz education. The Austin Jazz Band encourages local middle and high school students to attend rehearsal and to observe at close hand, in a relaxed setting, the rehearsal techniques of a mature big band. During the rehearsals, the students are invited to sit with the AJB sections, and to talk and learn with the musicians about their mutual interests in jazz and instrument development skills specific to the specific horn and section. We are constantly looking for new ways to reach out to the community and young musicians in the Austin area to assist in musical development.
The Austin Jazz Band regularly performs in various live setting. That includes local Jazz venues regularly, area wide jazz festivals, radio broadcasts, and concerts with guest artists. Previous engagements have included Clarksville and Galveston jazz festivals, Dougherty Arts Center, and the University of Texas "live Set" performance. The band has also been broadcast via the Austin Music Network and had wonderful guest performers from Austin, Houston, and Chicago.
To see some more info on our history - click here
To see some pictures of the band -- click here
See Photos of us by section and individually - click below:
The Saxes The Bones The Trumpets The Rhythm section Vocals Musical Director
