The Billy Frenzel Jazz Orchestra is a collection of eighteen of the finest young musicians Southern California has to offer.  Committed to presenting new works, the group is steadily proving itself to be a fresh new voice in large ensemble jazz.  Though the group shares a common instrumentation with that of the big bands of the past, this in no way dictates the style in which the music is written.  The innovative mix of traditional big band devices, along with textures found in modern classical music and grooves pulled from sources such as rock and hip-hop, has created a sound unique to this group and one that is aiming to move big band jazz into tomorrow.  Music is an aural representation of life and should move forward just as life does.

The group first assembled in the spring of 2002 to record a chart written by co-founder and close friend, Jimmy Emerzian.  Upon ending the first song of that rehearsal it was evident that my life was about to become a little more complicated.  After countless hours of organizing folders, taping parts, and calling musicians, the Billy Frenzel Jazz Orchestra was a reality.  Early rehearsals were held in the band room at UCLA.  The musicians were a mixture of students from USC, UCLA and eager-to-play friends we had all met along the way.  All musicians donated their time and talent in an effort to present music that, for the most part, has gone largely unheard.  The regular rehearsals served as a workshop for the many composers and arrangers that the band housed.  Over half of the chart in the groups library were contributed by in-band writers.

     On December 4th, 2001, the band made their public debut to a packed house at the world famous "Steamers Jazz Club" in Fullerton, CA.  The night included three sets of mostly original works which were warmly received by the numerous friends, family members, and jazz lovers that came out to support a struggling live music scene.  It was a truly special night, the kind of night that validates the endless hours we all spend hidden in practice rooms, searching for something different to say.  I still can't help but smile recalling that first gig.

     In April of 2002, after a month of rigorous rehearsals, the band made its way into the recording studio.  The session took place over one very long day (10 hours) and produced 6 tracks.  The result was "And The Sun Shone Through," the bands debut recording.  The project was overseen by veteran composer/bandleader (and my mentor), Kim Richmond.  The experience and great taste that Kim brought to this recording goes beyond description.  The musicians involved were all top notch and really came to play.  A guest appearance by well know tenor saxophonist, Dan St. Marseille, made things that much more special.  The CD will be out later this year and will be on SeaBreeze records.

In closing, it is no secret that the creative musician is facing dangerous times.  The true artist is struggling to remain heard in a market in which the rival, popular media, carries a large bullhorn.  It is apparent that the consensus among these "giants" (media heads) is that we are a culture that draws from a very limited emotional palette.  The music that we are force fed today is the result of a calculated move on the part of the record companies to make a buck, not enrich us, soothe us, or embrace our individuality.  They bank on the fact that the listening philistine will never get hip to this.  This is not a new practice, the elvis clones that surfaced after his success are no different than the eruption of boy bands we have experienced in recent years.  This is all fine and I don't think that talking in circles on the subject will do a thing to change it.  My hope is that the distinction will be clear, though, between art and a commercially conceived product.  Our goal is to write honestly and detached from commercial intent while still appealing to each listener on a very emotional and personal level.  The listener plays a vital role in this as well.  Just as it is the duty of the artist to conceive and present honest art, it is the duty of the listener to keep an open mind and embrace individuality.  Please support live music, it is an important part of our culture.