Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra: Swing Dance featuring Hillary Smith

35th Annual Music Under the Stars | Saturdays: Jazz & Blues
This evening of swing dancing with the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra (AJO) and vocalist Hillary Smith has become a favorite of the Music Under the Stars Series. Founded by former NMSU trumpet professor and Director of Jazz Studies, Pancho Romero, the 19-member AJO has been delighting audiences throughout the Southwest for over 40 years. For many years, under the leadership of trombonist John Sanks, the band performed with an impressive list of guest artists, including Toshiko Akiyoshi, Pete Christlieb, Jim Pugh, Scott Wendholt, Dick Oatts, John Fedchock, Wayne Bergeron, Bob McChesney, Jeff Coffin, Butch Miles, and jazz trumpet legend and Albuquerque native Bobby Shew, who served as the AJO Musical Director from 2007 to 2010. Currently led by former UNM Director of Jazz Studies, saxophonist Glenn Kostur, AJO also features one of Albuquerque’s most beloved vocalists, Hillary Smith, along with Aaron Lovato, Lee Taylor, Diantha Swoboda & Paul Blakey, saxophones; Brad Dubbs, Paul Gonzales, Derek Warren, Henry Estrada & Bruce Dalby, trumpets; Chris Buckholz, Micah Hood, John Sanks, Bill Austell, trombones; Steve Figueroa, piano; Michael Anthony, guitar; Colin Deuble; bass; and Jesse Culberson, drums.