Book the Orchestra
Classic big-band swing for concerts, series, fundraisers, dances, and private events.
Salt City Jazz Orchestra is a Syracuse/CNY 17-piece jazz orchestra delivering Basie-forward swing, strong ensemble writing, and a polished audience-ready presentation.
What We Deliver
Salt City Jazz Orchestra brings the classic big band sound to Central New York — Basie-forward swing, shout choruses, featured solos, and the energy of a full jazz orchestra presented with professional communication and dependable logistics. We tailor program length, volume, and presentation to the room so presenters get the impact of a large ensemble without guesswork.
What to Expect From Us
- Fast, professional communication
- Clear stage plot and technical requirements in advance
- Thoughtful programming matched to audience and venue
- Professional setup, pacing, and presentation
- Flexible format for concerts, donor events, dances, festivals, and private celebrations
Program Options
- 45 minutes
Festival, library, university, or jazz-series set
- 75–90 minutes
Full concert program
- 2×45 minutes
Dance, gala, fundraiser, or private event
Optional add-ons: vocal feature, small-group intermission set, holiday swing program, or custom thematic program.
Perfect For
- Performing arts centers
- Jazz series and festivals
- Theaters and concert halls
- Universities, libraries, and civic organizations
- Fundraising and donor-supported events
- Private celebrations seeking classic big-band atmosphere
Inquire About Booking
Tell us about your date, venue, event type, and desired set length — and we'll get back to you within 48 hours.
Ready to connect?
Fill out our quick form and we'll get back to you within 48 hours.
Open Booking Inquiry FormPrefer email? Reach us at stgeorgejas@gmail.com
Featured Programs
Signature programs built around different facets of the big-band tradition.
The Sound of Basie
Classic Basie repertory, shout choruses, riff-driven swing, and audience favorites from the Basie tradition.
Swing Era Classics
Selected repertory from Ellington, Miller, Goodman, Shaw, and related big-band literature.
Modern Big Band Highlights
Nestico, Thad Jones, and concert features that expand the program while keeping the big-band identity strong.
Custom Programming
We can shape a program around venue, audience, season, or event needs.
Selected Repertory Highlights
Our book includes more than 60 professionally published charts drawn from Basie, Nestico, Billy Byers, Thad Jones, swing-era standards, and selected concert features. Full repertoire details are available upon request.
Count Basie Classics
The heart of our book — authentic Basie band charts
- • April in Paris (arr. Wild Bill Davis)
- • One O'Clock Jump (trans. Jeff Hest)
- • Jumpin' at the Woodside (arr. Tommy Newsom)
- • Li'l Darlin' (arr. Neal Hefti)
- • Splanky (arr. Neal Hefti)
- • Cute (arr. Neal Hefti)
Show 15 more
- • Corner Pocket (arr. Freddie Green/Ernie Wilkins)
- • Flight of the Foo Birds (arr. Neal Hefti)
- • Shiny Stockings (arr. Frank Foster)
- • Down for the Count (arr. Frank Foster)
- • Blues in Hoss' Flat (arr. Frank Foster)
- • Easin' It (arr. Frank Foster)
- • In a Mellow Tone (arr. Frank Foster)
- • The Kid from Red Bank (arr. Neal Hefti)
- • Teddy the Toad (arr. Neal Hefti)
- • Whirlybird (arr. Neal Hefti)
- • Duet (arr. Neal Hefti)
- • Moten Swing (arr. Ernie Wilkins)
- • Swingin' the Blues (trans. Myles Collins)
- • Basie Boogie (trans. Myles Collins)
- • Basie Straight Ahead (arr. Sammy Nestico)
Sammy Nestico Arrangements
The definitive Basie arranger of the later era
- • 88 Basie Street
- • The Hayburner
- • Switch in Time
- • Magic Flea
- • The Queen Bee
- • Wind Machine
Show 4 more
- • Ya Gotta Try
- • Lonely Street
- • It's Oh, So Nice
- • Satin Doll
Frankly Basie (Billy Byers)
Instrumental arrangements from the Sinatra-Basie sessions
- • The Second Time Around
- • In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
- • I'll Never Smile Again
- • Come Fly with Me
- • Moon River
- • Hey, Jealous Lover
Show 5 more
- • Street of Dreams
- • All of Me (instrumental + vocal)
- • South of the Border
- • Saturday Night Is the Loneliest Night of the Week
- • This Love of Mine
Thad Jones & Modern Classics
From the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and beyond
- • A Child Is Born (arr. Thad Jones)
- • Big Dipper (arr. Thad Jones)
- • Groove Merchant (arr. Thad Jones)
- • Can't We Be Friends? (arr. Thad Jones)
- • Time Check (arr. Don Menza)
- • Nutville (arr. Greg Hopkins)
Show 1 more
- • Channel One Suite (arr. Bill Reddie)
Swing Era Standards
Miller, Ellington, Goodman — the golden age
- • Moonlight Serenade (trans. Jeff Hest)
- • In the Mood (trans. Alan Glasscock)
- • Take the 'A' Train (trans. David Berger)
- • Mood Indigo (arr. Billy Strayhorn)
- • Stardust (trans. Myles Collins)
- • Sing Sing Sing (trans. Myles Collins)
Show 3 more
- • Stompin' at the Savoy (arr. Bill Holman)
- • Broadway (arr. Henri Woode)
- • Night Train (arr. Roy Phillippe)
Concert Features
Showpieces and audience favorites
- • Malaguena (arr. Bill Holman)
- • Love for Sale (arr. Pete Myers)
- • Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (arr. Phil Wilson)
- • I Can't Stop Loving You (arr. Quincy Jones)
Custom programming available. We can tailor sets for your event's style and duration.
All charts are authentic published editions from Sierra Music, Jazz Lines, Hal Leonard, and Kendor.
Stage and Logistics
A 17-piece jazz orchestra requires appropriate stage space, seating, power, and basic sound support when needed. We provide a stage plot and technical requirements in advance and are happy to discuss room size, acoustics, and presentation needs before confirming a date.
Basie-forward swing, shout choruses, classic big-band energy, and polished concert presentation for theaters, jazz series, dances, fundraisers, and private events.
Prefer to Talk Directly?
For immediate inquiries or to discuss custom arrangements, we'll get back to you within 48 hours.