artist info

About Clarence Acox

“Musician, mentor and educator, Clarence Acox has infused Seattle – and the nation – with the jubilation of jazz for thirty years. A native of New Orleans, Acox came to Seattle in 1971 from Southern University to revive Garfield High School’s music program. Under his tutelage, it has grown into one of the preeminent youth music organizations in the nation. The renowned Garfield Jazz Ensemble is now the most traveled high school jazz band in the country. Garfield's Jazz Ensemble has taken first place four times at New York's Essentially Ellington National Jazz Band Competition and Festival at New York City's Lincoln Center - the country's most prestigious high school jazz competition. Under Acox's direction, the jazz ensemble has won just about every major competition on the West Coast, including the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho, and Oregon's Mt. Hood Jazz Festival.”

Acox also served as Artistic Director for Seattle JazzED, a nonprofit organization created to offer the highest level of jazz education and performance to the youth of the Seattle metropolitan area, regardless of their prior access to musical resources or their ability to pay. He also directed Seattle University’s Jazz Ensemble and served annually as a faculty artist for the renowned Bud Shank/Centrum JazzWorkshop.” Further, Clarence co-founded the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra in 1995 along with Michael Brockman.

About Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra

Celebrating its 29th season, Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra (SRJO) is the Pacific Northwest’s premiere big band jazz orchestra. Co-founded in 1995 by drummer Clarence Acox and saxophonist Michael Brockman, SRJO is dedicated to preserving and advancing the tradition of large ensemble jazz through performances, educational programs, and collaborations with renowned artists. SRJO is known for its high-quality performances and commitment to free and affordable jazz education in the Greater Seattle area.

SRJO is a unique 17-piece ensemble that features many of the finest jazz musicians in the region. Seven current members of the orchestra have been inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame, as well as eight former SRJO members. Several have won individual awards for “NW Best Instrumentalist,” “NW Emerging Talent” and “NW Best Recording.” Many members are prominent music educators in the region, ensuring a strong emphasis on education and mentorship. The orchestra's rich repertoire encompasses a wide range of styles and eras in jazz, from ragtime, classic swing, and bebop, to contemporary compositions and arrangements.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Brockman, SRJO has gained recognition for its artistic excellence and contributions to the jazz community. In 2022, SRJO brought on board its first full-time Executive Director to help the orchestra meet the challenges of a new future that has been forever impacted by a worldwide pandemic.