The SRJO is an outstanding community resource that keeps the art of big band jazz alive and well in Seattle. The group includes many of the best players in our region, and they play authentic versions of well and little known big band standards and classics from the golden era of big band jazz. One of their strengths is that they have members who obsessively listen to original recordings of music for which no charts exist and write out, note for note, what every band member was playing. This requires the highest level of ear training and is incredibly detail oriented and time consuming work. But the playoff is authenticity in their performances. The SRJO often features first rate touring musicians in their performances. They typically perform in the upstairs, more intimate theater in Benaroya Hall and at the Kirkland performance center. There’s not a bad seat in either house. If you love live music, big band jazz, or if you have a child playing in jazz band at one of our local middle or high schools, you owe it to yourself to check out the SRJO. You won’t be disappointed.