The Industrial Jazz Group (IJG) is a novel, adventurous big band (currently 16 pieces) showcasing the music of composer Andrew Durkin and the talents of some of the jazz world's pluckiest, most charismatic players. Frustrated by the limitations of "Jazz, the Institution," and bored by the mediocrity of much modern pop, the IJG has slowly pioneered the concept of "avant-garde party music": an idiosyncratic, charming / disarming blend of jazz, rock, cartoon soundtracks, humor, blues, funk, costumes, doo wop, dada, and a lot of other stuff. It's not really "industrial," and it's not really "jazz": the IJG attempts to demonstrate that music can indeed be complex, sophisticated, sexy, fun, funny, critical, smart, and groovy all at once.

Recent gigs have tended to include the following folks (though not all at once):

Saxophones: Beth Schenck, Damon Zick, Evan Francis, Cory Wright, Brian Walsh, Gavin Templeton, Kasey Knudsen, Gabriel Sundy, Adam Schroeder, Paul Perez, Tom Griesser, Ben Wendel, Josh Sinton, Katharina Thompsen, Ryan Perez-Daple, Dan Pratt, Josh Rutner, David Moyer, Dan Boissy, Kelly Corbin, Hayan Charleston, Ariel Alexander, James King, Jake McLain, Ward Baxter.

Trumpets: Phil Rodriguez, Kris Tiner, Dan Rosenboom, Stephanie Richards, Andre Canniere, Darren Johnston, Clinton Patterson.

Trombones: James Hirschfeld, Ian Carroll, Mike Richardson, Wolter Wierbos, Ron Christian, Shaunte Palmer, Brandon Jagow.

Rhythm Section: and a rhythm section composed of Dan Schnelle (drums), Oliver Newell (bass), Aaron Kohen (bass), Kevin Farrell (bass), Robert Jacobson (guitar), Drew Jorgensen (vibes), Andrew Durkin (piano, compositions).

Vocals: Jill Knapp, Tany Ling, Dina Emerson, Amanda Tiner.

Emeritus members include fun folks like Daniel Glass, drums (Royal Crown Review, etc.), Bruce Fowler, trombone (Frank Zappa, etc.), and Joe Berardi, drums (Double Naught Spy Car, etc.).

I sure as hell hope I didn't forget anybody, but I probably did.