"Commodores"
jazz ensemble
The
Navy's premier jazz ensemble, the "Commodores,"
presents the finest in America's truly original music. A specialty
unit of the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C., the group
features 18 of the Navy's top jazz and "big band"
musicians. Under the leadership of Senior Chief
Musician Philip M. Burlin, the Commodores combine the best of
jazz and popular music.
Since
their founding in 1969, the Commodores have become one of the most
acclaimed jazz ensembles in the country. Many jazz legends have
appeared with the group, including Ray Charles, Louie Bellson, Terry
Gibbs, Bruce Johnstone, Bob Mintzer, James Moody, Clark Terry and
Eugene "Snooky" Young. In addition, they have opened
for the Beach Boys and appeared on ABC's "Good Morning,
America."  They are highly sought after by the nation's
foremost jazz festivals and educational conferences such as the
International Association of Jazz Educators Convention, The Midwest
Clinic, the Detroit/Montreux Jazz Festival and the Elkhart (Ind.)
Jazz Festival. They are also featured at the annual Navy
Band International Saxophone Symposium.
The
Commodores trace their roots to before World War II, when Band members
with jazz experience formed dance bands and rehearsed on an as-needed
basis for specific occasions. Responding to public demand for unique
types of music as well as the changing needs of Navy recruiting,
then Ensign Ned Muffley formed a dance band in 1966 from members
of the concert and ceremonial units, and in 1968, preparations began
to make the ensemble a separate group. In January 1969, the "Dance
Band" officially became the "Commodores" jazz
ensemble.
Their
performances are high-energy affairs that not only pay tribute to
the legendary big bands of yesterday, but also feature original
compositions by members of the group. In 2008, the Commodores released
their latest compact disc, Directions. The Commodores
continue to preserve the great heritage of jazz while also being
an innovative force for the future.
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