Orchestra U.S.A.

In nov 1962, John Lewis, with the help of Gunther Schuller and percussionist Harold Farberman, formed Orchestra U.S.A. The goal of the large orchestra (including a string section and jazz soloists) was to execute original functions that mixed advanced jazz with traditional music — essentially third stream functions. The ensemble’s repertoire ranged from pompous to uplifting with material added by Lewis, Schuller, Gary McFarland, Benny Golson, Jimmy Giuffre, Hall Overton, Teo Macero, while others. Among the music artists who performed with Orchestra U.S.A. had been Gerry Mulligan and Ornette Coleman. The opportunity lasted 3 years, until 1965. Orchestra U.S.A. documented obscure albums for Colpix (1963) and Columbia (two in 1964) that included players such as for example Natural herb Pomeroy, Nick Travis, Leo Wright, Phil Woods, John Lewis, Jim Hall, Richard Davis, Connie Kay, Eric Dolphy, Coleman Hawkins, Benny Golson, Thad Jones, Joe Newman, and Jerome Richardson. Furthermore, the Sextet of Orchestra U.S.A. produced an recording for RCA in 1964.