Fort Wayne Jazz Orchestra

FWJO

The Fort Wayne Jazz Orchestra was formed as an off-shoot of the 2010 Fort Wayne Big Band Jazz Fest. It was originally put together from members of all of the participating bands at the festival as the festival All-Star Big Band.

Fort Wayne has always been a hotbed for both big band fans and musicians and the FWJO is taking advantage of both of these resources in producing some high energy big band concerts in our area.

Mark Van Cleave

Mark has been on a one man crusade to keep big band music alive and well in northern Indiana starting in 2008 with many performances with his own big band (The Mark Van Cleave Jazz Orchestra) and also by producing the first Fort Wayne Big Band Jazz Festival in 2010.

With the FWJO, Mark is looking to broaden out the performance opportunities for big band music in the Fort Wayne area with the areas most diverse assemblage of talented jazz musicians.

This group was put together soley for the love of big band music and keeping this original American musical artform alive through live performance.

Fort Wayne All-Star Big Band

Rehearsing for the 2010 Fort Wayne Big Band Jazz Fest

2010 Fort Wayne Big Band Jazz Fest Performance

The Fort Wayne Jazz Orchestra is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to the growth and development of jazz audiences. The Fort Wayne Jazz Orchestra advances a unique vision for the continued support of the art of jazz by producing performances, education and broadcast events for audiences of all ages.