Jazz at the Muse!

The Tom Amend Octet is a project that launched at the beginning of 2019 that focuses on bringing together some of Colorado’s finest musicians together in one group. This ensemble features the standard organ trio instrumentation of Hammond organ, guitar, and drums augmented by a five piece horn section. The band includes some of Colorado’s most inspired improvisers: Gabriel Mervine (tpt), Daryl Gott (alto), Drew Zaremba (tnr), Scott Flynn (tbn), Joel Harris (bari), Steve Kovalcheck (guitar), Brian Claxton (dr), and Tom Amend on Hammond Organ.
This “little big band” is a sound/format that has always inspired and captivated Amend’s imagination. His writing for this instrumentation draws inspiration from a long list of composers including Duke Ellington, Brother Jack McDuff, and Duke Pearson among others. This group truly is a versatile beast that allows for all of the freedom and spontaneity of a small group alongside the intricate power of the big band. The repertoire for this band consists of Amend’s originals and arrangements, and swinging interpretations of tunes coming out of the vast canon that is Jazz music.