Orchestra U.S.A.

In the fall of 1962, John Lewis, with the assistance of Gunther Schuller and percussionist Harold Farberman, formed Orchestra U.S.A. The purpose of the huge orchestra (which included a string section and jazz soloists) was to perform original works that combined advanced jazz with classical music -- essentially third stream works. The ensemble's repertoire ranged from pompous to inspiring with material contributed by Lewis, Schuller, Gary McFarland, Benny Golson, Jimmy Giuffre, Hall Overton, Teo Macero, and others. Among the musicians who performed with Orchestra U.S.A. were G...