Verve Jazz Ensemble

• Jon Blanck - Tenor, alto sax
• Frank Brocklehurst - Bass
• Josh Feldstein - Drums
• Ed Chervansky - Guitar
• Marie G. - Vocalist, flute
• Max Vladimiroff - Piano
• Other top performers - Horns
• Lou D'Agostino - Percussion

TRIO * QUARTET * QUINTET * SMALL BIG BAND * The Verve Jazz Ensemble takes listeners back to the grooves of the 1940s and '50s, from the big band, swing, bop, mainstream, Brazilian and cool eras of jazz, all the way into the funk sounds of today…the zenith of the music now re-energizing jazz enjoyment around the world.

The racing energy of uptempo big band classics...smokey, romantic standards of NYC night clubs...the velvety pulse of bassa and latin grooves...high-energy, danceable, contemporary funk tunes. The Verve Jazz Ensemble soaks its listeners in the greatest jazz of the past 60 years, all played in the original style of the musicians who made American jazz the global art form it is today.

Our jazz ensemble enjoys performing at weddings and private parties, concerts, corporate functions, fundraisers, night clubs and country clubs, festivals, and colleges. We're always open to creative, new venues, and feature an incredibly extensive musical repertoire.

Led by the swinging, crisp drumming of Josh Feldstein, the Verve Jazz Ensemble features the best-loved jazz tunes of all time, the tunes our listeners know and love—Armstrong to Basie, Brubeck to Coltrane, Ellington to Goodman, Ella to Dinah, Gordon to Monk, Jobim to Kenton, Miles to Getz...and so many more. We play a wide variety of styles, often starting an evening with a jazz cocktail hour/nightclub feel, then moving into jazz standards that everyone loves, and finally opening up into funky, danceable tunes or a big band-era format.

Boasting the sounds of the finest area jazz instrumentalists, the VJE features the blazing, high energy tenor sax of Jon Blanck; the articulate, warm acoustic bass of Pete Orlanski; and a wide range of great supporting jazz artists on piano, guitar, brass, reeds, rhythm, and vocals, depending on the scope and requirements of each engagement.

Polished, professional, and swinging, the Verve Jazz Ensemble--from trio to small big band--is happy to create any custom arrangement of music for your event. We're happy to dress from formal to business casual, based on your event, and serve the New York, New England, and Mid-Atlantic region. Our musicians have proudly contributed to numerous renowned community-based musical education programs in middle and high school settings for hundreds of young musicians.

Please click on the more than 15 live and studio-recorded audio samples posted here on our Gigmaster's press kit page, and please visit our website to hear even more music.

JUST A FEW OF THE MANY PLACES WE'VE PERFORMED...

The Silvermine Tavern • Redding Country Club • Rock Creek Country Club • La Zingara • Bethel High School/Middle School Community Cultural Performance • Board of Education Fundraiser • The Twisted Vine • Private Parties • Valley Presbyterian Church • And many more...

WHAT OUR LISTENERS SAY ABOUT THE VERVE JAZZ ENSEMBLE

"We are strong supporters of Live Music and are thrilled to find the Verve Jazz Ensemble. We feel that the Verve has the feel for "real" jazz! The talented musicians, led by its soaring swing drummer Josh Feldstein, brings us so much of the great classic jazz of its origin years and now to its current diversity. The lucky listener gets to take in an authentic swing experience. The Verve Jazz Ensemble hits our nerves with favorite hits of the 40's and 50's, blues, jazz standards, Latin, and, thank you, swing dancing!"

- Art and Peggy Winters, Woodstock, NY

"The first time I heard the Verve Jazz Ensemble I was hooked on the diverse musical assortment and smooth, swinging sound. This is a lively group that keeps you moving and wanting more. Fun!"

- Jackie Nulty, East Northport, NY

"The Verve Jazz Ensemble is a tight group capable of evoking many different moods through their wide variety of jazz standards. Each player is a very accomplished musician and they play wonderfully together as a team, sensitive to each other's playing. They are a pleasure to listen to."

- Seth Lefferts, Bethel, CT

"Classic Jazz Lovers Unite! I love listening to musicians speak to one another with their instruments, especially in live music. I found this in the Verve Jazz Ensemble, which is made up of an eclectic group of musicians, who ALL speak the same language musically. It was evident that the snazzy drummer, Josh Feldstein, was orchestrating the group with his leads and tempo, as the group followed him seamlessly. It was as if they were ALL engaged in a meaningful conversation without a word spoken. Truly a wonderful evening of classic jazz that had me tapping my foot and following along. I left the evening wanting to know the whereabouts of these seasoned musicians' next gig."

- Fred Conforti, Long Island, NY

“You guys make some great music…it's humbling to be around that much talent!”

– David W. Gibbs, Norwalk, CT

• All The Things You Are - Jerome Kern
• Our Love is Here to Stay - George Gershwin
• Cherokee - Ray Noble
• Body & Soul - Johnny Green
• Wave - Antonio Carlos Jobim
• Blue Bossa - Kenny Dorham
• Invitation - Bronislau Kaper
• Desafinado - Antonio Carlos Jobim
• Along Came Betty - Benny Golson
• Take the A Train - Ellington/Strayhorm
• Bluesette - Toots Theilmans
• Up Jumped Spring - Freddie Hubbard
• Moonglow - Benny Goodman
• April in Paris - Count Basie
• Corner Pocket - Count Basie
• Fungii Mama - Jimmy Smith
• Stompin' at the Savoy - Goodman
• St. Thomas - Sonny Rollins
• Embraceable You - George Gershwin
• Straight, No Chaser - Thelonius Monk
• Stella By Starlight - Victor Young
• Jumpin' at the Woodside - Count Basie
• Green Dolphin Street - Bronislau Kaper/Ned Washington
• Back at the Chicken Shack - Jimmy Smith
• Cotton Tail - Duke Ellington
• Sweet Georgia Brown - Bernie & Pinkard
• Intermission Riff - Stan Kenton
• Big Swing Face - Buddy Rich
• How High the Moon - Erroll Garner
• Giant Steps - John Coletrane
• In a Mellowtone - Duke Ellington
• Moonlight in Vermont - Blackburn/Suessdorf
• Lullaby of Birdland - George Shearing
• Just Friends - John Klenner
• Moment's Notice - John Coletrane
• Take Five - Dave Brubeck
• Misty - Erroll Garner
• Girl From Ipanema - Antonio Carlos Jobim
• Fly Me to the Moon - Bart Howard
• Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
• Jump, Jive, and Wail - Louie Prima
• Bye Bye Blackbird - Ray Henderson
• My Funny Valentine - Richard Rogers & Lorenz Hart
• My Favorite Things - Richard Rogers
• Autumn in New York - Vernon Duke
• Satin Doll - Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn
• Yesterdays - Jerome Kern
• Star Dust - Hoagy Carmichael
• Summertime - George Gershwin
• I Cover the Waterfront - Johnny Green
• ...and many, many more!

Anniversaries, Banquets, Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, Birthday Parties, Casinos, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Clubs, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Country Clubs, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fund Raisers, Hotels, Private Parties, Resorts, Restaurants, Showers, Studio Session, Temples, Weddings

• The Verve Jazz Ensemble was absolutely wonderful in every way. They were accomodating of all of our needs right from the moment we were first in touch with them. They arranged the ensemble to meet our needs. Marie, the singer, has a beautiful voice that was just perfect for the atmosphere of our wedding. The song selection was perfect. The musicians were professional and talented. We felt like we made the perfect choice of music for our wedding and would hire them again without hesitation for our next event. We highly recommend them. -- Caley S, Redding, CT, 10/3/2009