Widespread Depression Jazz Orchestra at Monmouth County Library

As its coordinator and alto-saxophonist Mike Hashim says, The Widespread Depression Jazz Orchestra was a nine-piece jazz ensemble founded in 1972 covering a wide spectrum of styles, bridging the gap between Bebop and Swing, and everything in between, as well as original arrangements by band members.

Initially, the group played 1950's style R&B and early rock and roll with guitars, piano, sax, bass guitar, drums, and a vocalist, but by the middle of the 1970s was operating as a big band revival group, in the style of the bands of Jimmie Lunceford, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Lionel Hampton. WJO played at premier jazz clubs across America and around the world, and appeared at major music festivals....

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As its coordinator and alto-saxophonist Mike Hashim says, The Widespread Depression Jazz Orchestra was a nine-piece jazz ensemble founded in 1972 covering a wide spectrum of styles, bridging the gap between Bebop and Swing, and everything in between, as well as original arrangements by band members.

Initially, the group played 1950's style R&B and early rock and roll with guitars, piano, sax, bass guitar, drums, and a vocalist, but by the middle of the 1970s was operating as a big band revival group, in the style of the bands of Jimmie Lunceford, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Lionel Hampton. WJO played at premier jazz clubs across America and around the world, and appeared at major music festivals.

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