Mark Van Cleave Jazz Orchestra

The MVCJO plays music from the big band libraries of Buddy Rich, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Guy Lombardo, Harry James, Maynard Ferguson, Stan Kenton, Thad Jones, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, and many more.

Mark Van Cleave put together the original MVCJO lineup in 1980. Over the years, there have been several versions of the MVCJO with the most recent lineup put together in 2008. The current lineup has a BIG SOUND and can really grab your full attention. 2009 looks to be an exciting year for the band as we will be putting together some powerful concerts including the music of Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson.

Mark has performed and toured with Perry Como, Mel Torme', The Guy Lombardo Orchestra, and The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra to name a few. Mark was also honored by being asked to play for Maynard Ferguson at his 75th birthday bash in Boston in 2003. After Maynard's passing in 2006, Mark quickly put together a band to play a musical tribute to Maynard raising money for the IPFW music scholarship fund in Maynard's name... What a way to start a band!