Modeled after the famous Vanguard Jazz Orchestra of
New York City that was started by Thad Jones and Mel
Lewis 42 years ago, the Darcy Hepner Jazz Orchestra is
comprised of sixteen excellent musicians and is the
creation and pet project of  Mowhawk College professor,
Darcy Hepner.

A seasoned performer, accomplished composer and
respected educator, saxophonist Darcy Hepner has
dedicated the past 30 years toward strengthening and
refining his grasp of jazz, R&B and blues. Originally a
cellist with a classical pedigree, he switched to saxophone while studying at the University of Miami and
subsequently worked during the ‘80s with such legendary figures as B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, Sergio Mendes and
Henry Mancini. From 1985-1989, he taught at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and from 1996 -2005 lived in
New York and worked on the Big Apple jazz scene as well as on various Broadway and off-Broadway shows,
including "Movin' Out", "Love, Janis" and "Stray Cats." From 1999-2004, he toured as a regular member of the
world renowned jazz-rock group Blood, Sweat & Tears.

His impressive list of credentials includes work with jazz singers Tony Bennett and Mel Tormé, the Artie Shaw
Orchestra, the Uptown Horns, the Brooklyn Jazz Composers Orchestra, the Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra,
rocker David Johansen, Broadway star Tom Wopat, saxophonists David Liebman and Olliver Lake, trumpeter
Kenny Wheeler and drumming great Louie Bellson. Darcy is in demand as a clinician and has presented master
classes in Jazz Improvisation and Music Business in many colleges and universities including the Bilgi University in
Istanbul, Turkey and Sacramento City College in Sacramento, California. His masterclass CD "Putting the 'R' in
R&B" was featured in Jazz Player Magazine. In 2003 the Saxophone Journal featured his "Jam Band" play-along
CD. A sequel "Jam Band 2" was featured in the May/June 2005 issue. The July/August 2007 issue of the
Saxophone Journal features his “Saxophone with Strings” play-along CD.
Darcy Hepner Jazz Orchestra - Main Stage   12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Main Stage - Bell Stage
Harmony Square