PURSUANCE RECORDS presents SAN FRANCISCO JAZZ ORCHESTRA ft. MIKE IRWIN JOHNSON, JAZ SAWYER and more with RAYBAND (a Ray Charles Project) November 29, 2010

San Francisco Jazz Orchestra (SFJO):
The SFJO was co-founded by Mike Irwin Johnson and Jaz Sawyer to present the Bay Area with an elite Big Band featuring inspired new arrangements and gripping young talent. The SFJO consists of all the top Bay Area players (listed below) and is dedicated to bringing San Francisco authentic, enchanting and engaging performances. Unlike other big bands throughout the SF Bay Area, the music will range not only from the Ellington/Basie signature music, but will also include works from Sun Ra, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk and contemporary artists, as well as original compositions.

Johnson and Sawyer have put together some memorable San Francisco groups which have changed the face of the jazz scene in SF. In 2007, the 8 Legged Monster was stared to celebrate a renewal of the “small bebop orchestra” for a modern age. Most recently the “Rayband” was founded to honor the great Ray Charles and was an instant success selling out every performance since it’s inception. Rachel Swan from Eastbay Express called the Sawyer/Johnson partnership “one of the best teams in Bay Area jazz.” The SFJO will be their finest and most ambitious work to date.

SFJO Members:
Mike Irwin Johnson (Arranger/co-founder)
Jaz Sawyer (drums/co-founder)
Rob Barics (saxophones/co-leader) – a former member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
Mike Olmos (trumpet) – a member of Eddie Palmieri/Etta James’ touring/studio band.

The remaining personnel are as follows:
Trumpets: Henry Hung, Joel Ryan, Erik Jekabson.
Saxophones: Patrick Wolfe, Dayna Stephens, Joe Cohen, Fil Lorenz, Scott Peterson.
Trombones: Danny Armstrong, Danny Grewen, Mike Rinta, Joel Behrman.
Piano: Adam Schulman or Graham Connah.
Bass: David Ewell or Eric Markowitz.

Rayband:
Mike Irwin Johnson founded the Rayband in 2010 to honor the music of Ray Charles. This orchestra features full Saxophone, Brass, Vocal (3 female, 1 male) and Rhythm sections. Mike has re-arranged some of the original Charles works and has also created some brand new takes on the classic songs.

The Eastbay Express has already touted the young band as the most “Sizzling Sound of Summer.” People dance, listen and fall in love, sometimes for the first time, with the music of Ray Charles. The Rayband’s personnel is as follows:

Raelettes: Rashida Clendening (aka: Audio Angel), Allegra Bandy & Karen Fremont
Vocals: Dylan Charles
Brass: Mike Olmos, Henry Hung & Scott Larson
Saxophones: Gabe Eaton, Rob Barics, Marcus Stephens & Fil Lorenz
Rhythm: Jay Sanders (p.), Mike Irwin Johnson (b.) & Jaz Sawyer (dr.)

Official Website: http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco/jazzclub/artist/show/1554