The SHAPE Jazz Orchestra is composed of 19 professional military musicians who perform throughout Europe representing the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Directed by United States Army First Sergeant Bruce Malone, the SHAPE Jazz Orchestra is modeled after the "Big Bands" of the 1940's. The group's diverse repertoire includes selections ranging from Count Basie, Glenn Miller and the "old standards" to present-day composers like Rob McConnell and Tom Kubis.
Since their inception in 1985, the SJO have performed for thousands of people throughout Europe and North Africa, establishing a reputation of excellence by bringing experienced, talented and enthusiastic musicians to the stage. The band has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Belga Jazz Festival, the Brussels Jazz Marathon and the Aix Jazz Festival. The band has performed concert tours throughout Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
The SHAPE Jazz Orchestra releases its first CD!
This CD is a representation of the band's live set performed at such places as the Brussels Jazz Marathon, the Ekeren Jazz Festival and other jazz venues throughout central Europe.