Ottawa Jazz Orchestra

The Ottawa Jazz Orchestra (OJO) is Canada’s first symphonic jazz orchestra. Based in Ottawa, the OJO brings together many of Canada’s finest professional jazz and symphony orchestra musicians under the direction of conductor and bassist Adrian Cho. This unique ensemble has garnered widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences for its highly entertaining, innovative and educational presentations of seminal jazz-centric music. No mere “big band,” the OJO is a dynamic musical organisation with a wide range of ensembles including small chamber jazz groups, repertory orchestras, neophonic orchestras and a full symphonic jazz orchestra. The OJO’s broad repertoire of music includes original compositions; the gamut of jazz and pre-jazz repertory from as far back as 1850; and jazz-influenced neoclassical works. In the past the OJO has given special focus to the music of Duke Ellington, Gil Evans, Stan Kenton, Charles Mingus and Johnny Richards. Each season, the OJO presents an exciting and innovative array of performances and educational presentations. During the summer months, the orchestra frequently performs at the invitation of event organisers including the National Capital Commission, the City of Ottawa and various festivals. The OJO has appeared in three of the most prestigious series at the Ottawa International Jazz Festival.