The Danny Jonokuchi Big Band is a bi-coastal 17-piece big band comprised of legendary jazz musicians and rising stars, led by trumpeter, vocalist, composer, and arranger Danny Jonokuchi. The band’s latest album, A Decade (2024), features an all-star New York ensemble and chronicles Jonokuchi’s first 10 years in the city. The album includes the recording of the 2024 ISJAC Wayne Shorter Arranging Prize-winning piece, “Ping Pong”. The band has delivered sold-out performances in Los Angeles and New York City at iconic venues like Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club, Birdland Jazz Club, Vibrato, The Django, Minton’s Playhouse, Vitello’s, Catalina Jazz Club, The Ziegfeld Ballroom, and Gotham Hall. They were also featured at the Jazz at Lincoln Center 2024 Gala and contributed their award-winning recording of “One O’Clock Jump” to the Late Night Basie album, a compilation including the Count Basie Orchestra & many acclaimed artists.
The band exclusively performs compositions and award-winning arrangements by Danny Jonokuchi that span from nostalgic songs reminiscent of the swing era to modern pieces with intricate melodies and rich harmonies. They have recorded with Grammy-winning vocalist Nicole Zuraitis, trumpeter Terell Stafford, Lucy Yeghiazaryian, Brianna Thomas, Alita Moses, and many more.
Their recent releases include Past is Present (Bandstand Presents), featuring all original compositions by Jonokuchi and co-composer Jordan Seigel, and their 2023 album, Voices (Outside In Music), which showcases 11 outstanding jazz vocalists from New York City. Voices has been hailed as “a masterpiece” by Jerry Gordon (WPRB). Their albums have received critical acclaim, with international praise calling them “an album in which every cut is prime” (The New York Sun), “crammed with reward” (London Jazz News), and “an aural feast” (Jersey Jazz). Their music has also been featured on over a hundred radio stations nationwide.
Stay tuned for their upcoming release in the summer of 2024!
Check the shows page for upcoming performances.
A Decade available on CD / LP/ Digital
New Singles
New Singles
“Past is Present” is now available everywhere
big band album with co-writer Jordan Seigel
Voices
“well-presented, well-recorded and crammed with reward”
- London Jazz News
“An album in which every cut is prime”
- The New York Sun
“unparalleled beauty on each track”
- Paris Move
“Voices” - Recording Session
All photos by Marta Marcy
