"...the truest measure of artistic respect doesn’t lie in repeating previous innovations. It comes from building upon and extending those concepts… not only in the use of updated harmonies and more sophisticated rhythms, but also… expanding the range of colors and textures..."
Neil Tesser
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
May 22, 2026 | Studio5 Performing Arts Center
Jazz Unearthed Album Release Concert
Metropolitan Jazz Octet celebrates the release of their new album Jazz Unearthed, drawn from unreleased arrangements in saxophonist, composer, arranger, and educator Tom Hilliard’s library. Hilliard founded the original MJO in the 1950’s and was a mentor to current MJO leaders Jim Gaillereto and John Kornegay.
The project engages in musical archeology, presenting a set of miniature masterpieces that shine light on long-lost styles of Jazz from the 1950s.
EMERGING JAZZ ARRANGER SCHOLARSHIP
EJAS Awardees John Wambach and Trevor Dean Stewart
In the spring of 2025, Metropolitan Jazz Octet announced the Emerging Jazz Arranger Scholarship (EJAS) award in conjunction with DePaul University School of Music. In the spirit of Tom Hilliard's ardent dedication to the jazz octet, the MJO scholarship program provided financial support for the creation, rehearsal, recording, and production of original music specifically tailored for the jazz octet format.