Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra

Musical Style: Big Band Contemporary Jazz "The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra is an 18-piece "big band" featuring contemporary big-band jazz played by some of Denver’s finest jazz musicians. Their selections are never predictable, always hold your interest, and blow you away with intensity and excitement. The MJO considers the audience as an integral part of the show so expect “stories,” humor, scary-good charts, and a very enjoyable evening!" On August 24, 2026, MJO will be performing the music of Charles Mingus, featuring Steve Slagle, former director and lead alto with the Mingus Big Band for 10+ years. Director (Co-leader) – Jim Mick Trumpets – Scott Handler (Co-leader), Jordan Skomal, Doug Barta, Mark Ibsen Trombones – Kevin Buchanan (Co-leader), Ron Argotsinger, Rob Olds, Daniel Cosio Saxes – Zack Cassell, Paul Farus, Sam Hesch, Adam Bell, Chris Wojtecki Rhythm – Jason Malmberg, Ian Spillman, Ron Jolly, Clint Dadian Steve Slagle  is a triple threat as a saxophonist, composer, and arranger with 20 recordings under his own name and dozens of others he is on, two of which have won GRAMMYs. Starting with Steve Kuhn’s Qt on ECM records he continued with the Carla Bley Band also on ECM ( with a new release in May 2026 ‘Joyful Noise’ -a live concert in Hamburg, Germany) From there he went on to be musical director of the great Ray Barretto’s Latin Jazz Group as well as playing with the genius singer Milton Nascimento’s band in Brazil. This led to his 10 years with the original Mingus Big Band as lead alto, arranger and musical director from’91-2001. Afterwards joining Joe Lovano’s Nonet, both bands touring worldwide and both receiving Grammy’s for their works. Forming the Stryker/Slagle Band with guitarist Dave Stryker recording and touring he then put out a series of his own recordings produced by Rick Simpson on Panorama Records. The first and popular ‘Alto Manhattan’ features an unusual solo take of ‘Body and Soul’. He then produced a new and different recording every year from 2016-2022 receiving extensive radio play in the USA and streamed world-wide.( see discography on Wiki or Steveslaglemusic.com ) He continues his contributions leading his own band, working with others and also as an educator- with a new recording this summer to be released next year on Panorama Records. Steve lives in Manhattan on the Hudson river with his wife from Eastern Europe and two daughters.