Mike Vax & MVJO CD "Alternate Route"
About the CD: An Important Note from Mike Vax
This recording and The Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra (MVJO) are in many ways a departure from the "normal" workings and ideas of big band jazz.
We have, in fact, taken an ALTERNATE ROUTE in our endeavors to keep big band jazz alive and well into the new millennium. It has always been a "not so funny" joke that big bands are always "not for profit."
In fact, most excursions into the realm of big band performance and business end up losing money and the band members usually work in nightclubs "for the door" which usually means $15 - $20 per night per musician.
We have taken the attitude that not only can musicians be paid a "fair" salary, but through donations of our patrons and ticket sales from our concerts, we can actually give back to our community both financially and artistically.
The The Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra and our non-profit Friends of Big Band Jazz, perform the following endeavors for our community:
 | Award scholarships every summer for deserving young jazz players to go to summer jazz camps, through the Al "Jazzbeaux" Collins Scholarship Fund, created by NOJO. |
| Donate each year to the Oakland Youth Orchestra. |
| Perform a benefit concert every summer for Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation. |
| Make donations to the Alice Arts Center (where we rehearse and do some of our performances). |
| Perform and do workshops in public schools at no charge to the schools. |
| Play benefit performances for many area organizations such as The Oakland Ballet, Lions Club Blind Center and public school music departments. |
The ideas for this recording have to do with our belief that music should have different facets and feelings. We have recorded several kinds of music on this CD. This is not just a "big band swing" album. It is a truly eclectic mix of styles, sounds, and rhythms. The music is new and fresh. Many of the pieces are composed or arranged by members of the band and other local Bay Area writers.
We are very excited to be able to present this wonderful music to you, the listener! Join us in a journey up the ALTERNATE ROUTE of big band jazz!
— Mike Vax, Director
This CD is made possible thanks to a generous gift in honor of the Minarik Family.
Part of the proceeds from the sale of this CD will go to the Al "Jazzbeaux" Collins Memorial Scholarship Fund.
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About the CD
Acknowledgements
