Reunion Jazz Orchestra
"The Melodons"
All members of the RJO share a unique background. Every member played for the "Melodons" of Notre Dame High School in Niles, Illinois, one of the first high school jazz bands in the U.S., and arguably the most significant. Begun in the mid-50's, the Melodons has produced well-known musicians, such as, Jimmy Pankow of Chicago, and Grammy-nominee composer and pianist Jim McNeely.
The RJO is made up of metro Chicago Melodons jazz band alumni. A few are full-time pros, most are not, but RJO music is anything but amateur. It has a unique library of over 700 arrangements, with access to many more, among which are manuscripts offered to the band by the orchestras of Count Basie, Woody Herman, and Stan Kenton, just to name three. The RJO has as authentic a swing as you'll find anywhere, and plays ballads, some progressive jazz, and a little rock. Most RJO performances also showcase the vocal stylings of Chicago pro Mark Madsen
