Dallas Jazz Orchestra

The Dallas Jazz Orchestra (DJO) is a jazz big band based in Dallas, Texas, founded by Thom Mason and Galen Jeter. Since its beginning in 1973, the DJO has produced numerous notable recordings, two of which were Grammy nominated, and has performed internationally in concerts and jazz festivals, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival. Over the years, the orchestra has featured many of the most outstanding jazz players from the world class jazz program at the University of North Texas. Co-founder Galen Jeter is an alumnus of the University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band who played trumpet with the Woody Herman Orchestra.

The orchestra celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in October 2003. Jeter released a recording titled "The Big 3 – 0." In addition to its performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, DJO represented the United States at the World's Fair in Seville, Spain. The orchestra, under Geter's leadership, has also entertained two United States presidents and accompanied numerous musical celebrities, including Diahann Carroll, Billy Eckstine, Doc Severinsen, Bob Hope, Steve Allen, Mel Tormé, Joe Williams and the Four Freshmen.

In 1973, founders Thomas Mason and Galen Jeter brought together some of the best musicians from the Dallas area to form the Dallas Jazz Orchestra. With no outside financial support, the Dallas Jazz Orchestra played its first public concert in March 1974. The group's first album followed soon after, recorded live at Maxine Kent's in 1975. The second album, also cut live at Maxine Kent's, was produced in 1978. That same year, Galen moved the Dallas Jazz Orchestra into Wayne Morgan's Popsicle Toes where it played weekly for many years. Later the band played at Poor David's Pub on lower Greenville Avenue before settling at the Village Country Club.

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