Uptown Jazz Tentet is a ten-piece jazz ensemble collaboratively led by trumpeter Brandon Lee and trombonists Willie Applewhite to hire our friends to create the best music we can. Although several members are contributing writers, the three leaders provide the compositional backbone of the UJT. Between us, there is a commonality of shared influences and experiences. Whats interesting is that this commonality is filtered through three unique lenses of interpretation. We all have a personalized compositional sound, but it all complements each other.The UJTs style is grounded in the traditions of Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Gil Evans, Thad Jones, and many others. With that being said, the ensemble is inclusive of all of the other flavors of the jazz idiom. This is illustrated in Uptown Jazz Tentets debut release, There It Is, and latest release, WhatsNext, which have both enjoyed critical acclaim. Band: Brandon Lee - co-leaderWillie Applewhite - co-leaderJames Burton - co-leader Saxophones: Andrew Gutauskas -alto sax, soprano sax, fluteJohn Ellis - tenor saxRon Blake - bari sax Brass:Brian Pareschi - tpt 1Brandon Lee - tpt 2Willie Applewhite - tbn 1James Burton - tbn 2/bass tbn Rhythm Section:Martha Kato - pnoClovis Nicolas - bassPete Van Nostrand - drums
