Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra

Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra – Formed in 1994, the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra is an Indianapolis-based 17-piece big band, which is often featured at local events and has recorded six CDs (currently with Owl Studios). In addition, the group is dedicated to education and performs widely in public schools. Both of its founders have reputations that reach far beyond Indianapolis. Trombonist Brent Wallarab is a well-known composer, arranger, performer, and clinician. In fact, he has been lead and solo trombonist with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra of Washington, D.C., since its founding in 1991. He has also transcribed, edited and restored over 300 works for the SJMO. In addition, Wallarab was recently appointed as a full-time faculty member at Indiana University. Mark Buselli, BWJO’s other founder and director, is a jazz educator (head of Jazz Studies at Ball State University), an accomplished arranger (over forty publications), and a well-recorded trumpet sideman (experience with Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Bobby McFerrin, Slide Hampton, and Jimmy Heath). Featured soloists with BWJO have included Frank Glover (clarinet and tenor saxophone), Rob Dixon (tenor sax), Cynthia Layne (vocalist), and Everett Greene (vocalist). Currently, a BWJO pull-out group called the Mid-Coast Swing Orchestra plays every Tuesday at the Jazz Kitchen.