Meet the SJMO
Meet the talented musicians of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra
Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra
Big Band & Ensemble
The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra (SJMO) Big Band features all 17 musicians, in addition to occasional special guest performers. The SJMO Ensemble, Quintet, and Quartet feature smaller groupings of the large ensemble. See below for the full lineup by section and further information about each musician.
Artistic Director and Conductor
Charlie Young
Charlie Young, coordinator of jazz studies at Howard University and a professor of saxophone, officially assume the role of SJMO artistic director and conductor for the orchestra’s 2013 performance schedule.
Charlie has been a member of the SJMO since 1995 and served as the ensemble’s principal saxophonist for more than 15 years. He has been a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra since 1988, serving as its conductor and is currently the lead saxophonist. Charlie and his jazz quintet presented the inaugural concert and lecture at the opening of the New American University in Cairo in 2008. His performing and recording career includes working with the National Symphony Orchestra, the U.S. Navy Band, the Count Basie Orchestra and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. He has shared the concert stage with many of the music industry’s leading icons ranging from Clark Terry and Ella Fitzgerald to Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones in venues ranging from London’s Royal Albert Hall to New York’s Carnegie Hall.
He is also published on more than 30 recordings, including his latest release “So Long Ago.” Charlie, a native of Norfolk, Va., studied at North Texas State University and earned his master’s degree from Howard University. He is a recognized clinician in the field of jazz education as well as classical and jazz saxophone performance. Watch Charlie and the SJMO perform in Moscow in 2011.
Executive Producer and Drums
Ken Kimery
Kennith R. Kimery, Executive Director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and Jazz Oral History Program, has produced over 300 concerts in Washington, D.C.; received critical acclaim from the Washington Post; was featured in Smithsonian Magazine; and awarded “Excellence in an Artistic Discipline” at the 18th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards.
Since 1992, the SJMO has traversed the United States taking the Museum to the four corners of our country. Performing in locales ranging from Charleston, SC , Fairbanks, AK, Scottsdale, AZ , Lacrosse, WI, Providence, RI, and Houston, TX, the SJMO has reached audiences in over 40 states. Some of the many highlights include concerts at the historic Apollo Theater in 1993; Symphony Hall in Atlanta, GA for the 1996 Olympic games; nationwide in 1996 for the Smithsonian’s 150th traveling exhibition and birthday celebration on the National Mall; the Washington National Cathedral for Duke Ellington’s Centennial; the Monterey Jazz Festival; the Ravinia Jazz Festival in 2005-2006; and the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in 2007 for a performance of Duke Ellington’s “Such Sweet Thunder” with Mercedes Ellington and Avery Brooks.
Building on its Washington, DC and national touring successes, the Orchestra embarked on its first international tour in 1999 performing in Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton and Saskatoon, Canada; Istanbul, Turkey; The Hague, Netherlands; Vienne, Bayonne, and Antibes, France; Gijon and San Sebastian, Spain; Perugia, Italy; Pori and Helsinki, Finland; and the Barbican Theatre in London. In 2008, the Orchestra was featured at the International Association for Jazz Education conference in Toronto, Canada paying tribute to Quincy Jones and traveled to Egypt presenting concerts and educational outreach at the Pyramids, Cairo Opera, Alexandria Opera House, and the American University in Cairo. The SJMO embarked on U.S. Department of State sponsored tour to three cities in Russia as part of the U.S. – Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission in May of 2011 and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in July of 2012.
Saxophone Section
Steve Williams
Alto Saxophone
Composer, arranger and saxophonist Steve Williams has enjoyed a nearly forty-year career performing many styles of music.
Since 1994, Steve has been a member of The United States Navy Band Commodores, and the group's lead alto saxophonist since 1997. He joined The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra in 2014 as its lead alto saxophonist.
Steve has appeared on several albums including the Latin Grammy winning (2008) "Caribbean Jazz Project/ Afro-Bop Alliance Big Band featuring Dave Samuels." In August 2012, Steve released his own album on OA2 Records. Entitled "Steve Williams and Jazz Nation." The album features a 17-piece big band, world-renowned jazz clarinetist Eddie Daniels and Steve's original songs and arrangements. Steve is a graduate of The University of North Texas, where he was a two year member of the world renowned "One O' Clock Lab Band."
Bill Mulligan
Alto Saxophone
Bill Mulligan has played with legendary artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis, Stanley Turrentine, Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. He was a saxophone and clarinet soloist for three European tours of Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, returning to that show in 2010 for Arena Stage’s acclaimed production at the Lincoln Theatre starring Maurice Hines.
Bill earned a Bachelor of Music, summa cum laude, from The Ohio State University. While at Ohio State, he was selected to perform as lead alto saxophonist with the Walt Disney World All-American College Band. In addition to performing with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, he is the leader of the Navy Band Commodores Jazz Ensemble.
Scott Silbert
Tenor Saxophone
Scott A. Silbert is the chief arranger for the United Stated Navy Band. He has composed/ arranged more than 300 works for the band, while actively performing, teaching, and conducting clinics. Scott has studied with jazz legends such as Phil Woods, Manny Albam, and Jerry Kalber.
He performs with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and has appeared with Rosemary Clooney, Bob Hope, Stanley Turrentine, Andy Williams and The Temptations. Scott lectures frequently, having recently presented jazz history clinics at the Navy Band's International Saxophone Symposium at George Mason University. Watch Scott performing “Work Song” with Eddie Metz Jr.
Luis Hernandez
Tenor Saxophone
More information coming soon.
Leigh Pilzer
Baritone Saxophone
Leigh Pilzer is a Washington DC-based saxophonist, arranger, and educator. Her combos—ranging from trio to septet and featuring Leigh’s original compositions—have performed at many of the DMV’s top jazz venues including Keystone Korner, Blues Alley, Takoma Station, Twins Jazz, Westminster Presbyterian, the Atlas Performing Arts Center, and Jazz at the Garden, to name just a few. She has toured domestically and internationally with both the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and The DIVA Jazz Orchestra.
Leigh holds a DMA in Performance with Jazz Emphasis from George Mason University; MMs in Jazz Studies and Saxophone Performance from The University of Maryland; and a BM in Jazz Composition and Arranging from the Berklee College of Music. Leigh is on faculty at the University of Maryland, where she teaches Theory of Jazz and Jazz Arranging
Trumpet Section
Kenny Rittenhouse
Trumpet
Kenny Rittenhouse is a professor of Jazz Trumpet at George Mason University, and a member of many revered ensembles.
Kenny completed his undergraduate degree at West Virginia Wesleyan College, and has since completed post graduate work at the Eastman School of Music, Duquesne University, and the University of Maryland.
He has played with artists such as James King, Steve Gadd, Ahmad Jamal, and Dr. Bill Taylor. Kenny has taught clinics with Jamey Aebersold, and is a member of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, The United States Army Band (Pershing’s Own) and the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble. Watch Kenny perfoming "Work Song" with the Kenny Rittenhouse Septet at DC Jazz Fest in 2013.
Trombone Section
Jen Krupa
Lead Trombone
Jennifer Krupa earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Florida. After graduating she stayed in Florida to work for Universal Studios and Walt Disney World, the Studio Brass and Show bands at Disneyworld, as well as with the Benny Goodman Orchestra. Jen has an Artist Diploma in Jazz Studies from the Julliard School of Music.
She moved to Washington DC and joined both the United States Navy Band Commodores Jazz Ensemble, and Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.
Her resume is anchored by work with artists such as Patrick Williams, Christian McBride, Arturo Sandoval, and Andy Martin. She continues to do studio and session work in both Washington, DC and New York City. Watch Jen performing at the 10th Annual Jazz Appreciation Month celebration at the National Museum of American History.
Bill Holmes
Trombone
Bill Holmes is an esteemed trombonist in the Smithsonian Masterworks Orchestra who plays frequently throughout the Washington, DC area.
Bill has performed with a tremendous amount of prolific musicians and orchestras such as, the Saturday Night Live Band, Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Patti LaBelle, Quincy Jones, James Brown, The Temptations, Tito Puente, Mickey Hart, American Jazz Orchestra, and the Fairfax Symphony.
He received his Bachelor’s degree from Temple University, and his Master’s Degree from Catholic University of America. He has studied with Al Grey, Irving Smith, Milt Stevens and Sigmund Hering. Bill maintains his own private studio in Arlington, VA. where he teaches trombone and bass. Watch Bill perfroming "Ogoniland" composed by Kenny Rittenhouse with The US Army Blues Band.
Matt Niess
Trombone
Dr. Matthew Niess is a Washington, DC based cross-over Edwards Trombonist and Summit label recording artist. He served in The U.S. Army Band “Pershing's Own” as lead trombone with The Army Blues Jazz Ensemble and trombonist with The U.S. Army Brass Quintet. He is currently a member of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. He began his teaching career as Director of Bands at Calvert High School and has since taught at Towson, West Chester, and George Mason Universities. In 2021 he became Director of Jazz Studies and Professor of Trombone at Shenandoah Conservatory. He is the founder and director of The Capitol Bones, The National Jazz Workshop, and has appeared as a soloist, clinician, and adjudicator at numerous schools' venues throughout the United States.
Jeff Cortazzo
Bass Trombone
For over 26 years Jeff Cortazzo was bass trombonist of The U.S. Army Blues, a component of The U.S. Army Band, Pershing’s Own, in Washington D.C. With “The Blues” he has performed at many of the world’s foremost jazz festivals to include Monterrey and has shared the stage with Clark Terry, Stanley Turrentine and The New York Voices as well as Liza Minnelli, Natalie Cole and Frank Sinatra Jr. He is presently bass trombonist of the National Philharmonic, The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and is contrabass trombonist of The Washington Trombone Ensemble and The Capitol Bones. He has performed as an extra or substitute with The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Lyric Opera Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra and The Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra. As lecturer of trombone at The Catholic University of America, he is trombonist in the faculty brass quintet.
Rhythm Section
Tony Nalker
Piano
Tony Nalker performs widely in Washington, D.C., currently serving as jazz pianist with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra Pops, and The U.S. Army Blues.
Since 1989 Tony has been the pianist of the premiere jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army, The Army Blues, is currently the group’s enlisted leader, and will be retiring from the Army in early 2017. Nalker plays for the highest levels of the U.S. government and military and has performed on USO tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. He has also toured on musical diplomacy missions throughout the world for the U.S. State Department. Since 2005, Tony has served as pianist of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, performing throughout the country to share the Smithsonian’s collection of iconic jazz works with the American public. Since 2012, he has also worked with the National Symphony Orchestra Pops. He has also performed on hundreds of recordings in a variety of styles including jazz, folk, children’s music, pop, Broadway, and country.
Tony is the pianist for Hal Leonard Publishing’s Jazz Play-Along series which has produced nearly 200 instructional books with CDs and for Alfred Publishing’s Jazz Play-Along and big band series. His numerous compositions and arrangements range from works for big band and smaller jazz ensembles to theater, dance and film. Tony received his undergraduate degree in music from James Madison University and his M.A. in music from the University of Iowa. Watch Tony perform "I'm Gonna Lock My Heart" with for PBS Great Performances with bassist Kate Davis.
Amy Shook
Bass
Amy Shook is one of the most in-demand acoustic bassists in the mid-Atlantic, coveted for her huge sound and infectious, driving groove. In addition to being a premier performing and recording artist, she is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist (acoustic bass, electric bass, violin and viola), composer and music educator, and co-leads, records, and tours with the all-women powerhouse trio the 3D Jazz Trio with drummer Sherrie Maricle and pianist Jackie Warren.
Amy has performed with Maurice Hines in Maurice Hines’ Tappin Thru Life, Sherrie Maricle and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and Walt Weiskopf, to name a few. She has performed at many premier venues and festivals worldwide, such as the Kennedy Center, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, the Blue Note NY, the Blue Note Beijing, Lincoln Center Damrosch Park, The International Forum (Tokyo, Japan), the Freespace Jazz Festival Hong Kong, The Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, New World Stages in NYC, the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, the D.C. Jazz Festival and the Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival. Amy studied at the University of Idaho and holds two bachelor’s degrees (in Violin Performance and Music Composition), and a master’s degree in Violin Performance. Watch Amy perform Honeysuckle Rose with Maurice Hines and the 3D Jazz Trio featured with the DIVA Jazz Orchestra at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola.
