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Vanguard Jazz Orchestra tonight at the Village Vanguard in NYC

Our weekly show at the Vanguard tonight. Sets at 8:30 and 10:30. More info at www.vanguardjazzorchestra.com

Playing with the legendary Earl Gardner from the Saturday Nigt Live Band today at “A Bronx Tale” today!

Jason Jackson, and Earl Gardner At A Bronx Tale in NYC

All weekend I get to play with the legendary Earl Gardner at A Bronx Tale on Broadway in NYC. I also  get to dust off the tuba and play some sweet baselines in the book.

 

Johnny Mathis and Sunset Blvd

Last night was an amazing experience playing with the legendary Johnny Mathis. What a PRO!! He sang his but off at the Westbury Theater. 

I was in an all star band including these amazing trombonist; Jack Schatz and Charley Gordon. Pictured below. 

Jason Jackson, Charley Gordon, and Jack Schatz
  

Today I’m at Sunset Blvd. starring Glenn Close. 

HAPPY SUNDAY!!

Great night at the Vanguard last night with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Tonight I’m at Beautiful, The Carole King Musical. 

Jason and Tatum at beautiful the Carole King musical
Jason Jackson, and Tatum Greenblatt (new trumpeter at “Beautiful, The Carole King Musical”

Great night at the Vanguard last night with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Tonight I’m playing the great Broadway show Beautiful about Carole King.  the new trumpet player Tatum Greenblatt sounds great!!

Great night last night at the Village Vanguard with the vanguard Kazz Orhestra 

We welcome our newest member John Chudoba (pictured below on the left) as second trumpet.

Vjo bone section
Left to right: David Wong, Douglas Purviance, Rock Ciccerone  John Mosca and Jason Jackson
Left to right: John Chudoba, Jeff Wilfore

Teaching at the Dalton School in NYC, and City College, then an evening subbing at the Broadway Musical, Sunset Blvd. starring Glenn Close

Wednesday was my first day of teaching at The Dalton School in NYC where I am now the trombone teacher.

The Dalton School
The Dalton School

My next student was up town at the City College New York where I have taught for 6 years now.

CCNY
City College New York (CCNY)

And finally I ended the night at Sunset Blvd. starring Glenn Close.

Nat King Cole tribute with Micheal Feinstein last night at Lincoln Center

Jason Jackson performing with Michael Feinstein for a Nat King Cole Tribute

I performed last night with Michael Feinstein and the American Song Book Big Band conducted by Tedd Firth for a tribute to Nat King Cole at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Appel Room.  Great concert!!i

Tonight I’m at the South Orange Performing Arts Center with the Seaton Hall Faculty Jazz Ensemble. Concert starts at 7:30pm. 

Tonight I’m at the South Orange Performing Arts Center in South Orange NJ with the Seaton Hall Faculty Jazz Ensemble. Concert starts at 7:30pm.

South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC)
South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC)
Seaton Hall Jazz Faculty: Steve and Carol Hamersma
Seaton Hall Jazz Faculty: Steve and Carol Hamersma

Looking forward to subbing in the pit orchestra for Bronx Tale on Broadway in New York City

Looking forward to subbing in the pit orchestra for A Bronx Tale on Broadway in New York City. Getting ready for that tuba part with some low long tones. Wheee!!!

Rehearsing with The Seaton Hall Faculty Ensemble

Nice rehearsal with the Seaton Hall Faculty jazz ensemble. Looking forward to our concert on march 21 at SOPAC (South Orange PAC.)

I am subbing for the great Douglas Purviance so I’m playing my bass trombone.

Another successful subbing experience at “Sunset Boulevard” on Broadway in NYC

There are strict rules governing when a substitute musician is allowed to play on with a Broadway orchestra.  One of the rules is that in a given section, if there is a 1st time sub, all the other musicians in that section must be  a regular member OR a substitute that has been designated “as good as the regular player.”

Usually a person is not designated until they have played the show quite a number of times. In my case, I’ve played the show three times and tonight I was playing in the section with a first time lead trumpet player.

Although playing with a 1st time lead trumpeter can be nerve wrecking, I took it as a compliment to my playing.  All went very well.