JMO: The Premier Party Band in the New Orleans Music Scene.

When it comes to being the premier New Orleans party band, JMO has been at the top for decades. Why? Because of the variety of music we provde. From New Orleans jazz, swing dance music in the style of Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr, Michael Buble´ to corporate events looking for a New Orleans party rock sound, JMO has answered the call time and time again. 

The band is a nine-piece band based in New Orleans featuring a powerful horn section with vocals that keep your feet tapping and fingers snapping. The perfect combination of raw energy, polish, and sheer entertainment value makes this group ideal for your next coprorate event.

Whether performing at the Audubon Golf Clubhouse, the Audubon Tea Room, or Jackson Square, JMO is perfect for wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, engagement parties and Mardi Gras parties.

Weddings may be intimate or grandiose, romantic or rockin', indoors or outdoors, but whatever the occasion JMO plays for your magical evening. 

Contact JMO for the premier party band in the New Orleans Music scene.

New Orleans Cover Bands and Dance Bands - JMO Has you "COVERED!"

The ability to read an audience and give them exactly what they want is what Jimmy believes has allowed JMO to become the premier party band in the New Orleans Music scene. JMO have been around in their current configurations for 33 years making them one of the oldest lineup in the city.

“Ive had people tell me to you should play original material and write your own music but Elvis never wrote a song in his life. You wouldn’t say he was in a cover band, would you?

In a town where you can walk down Frenchman street and hear five different “original” musicians all riffing on “St. James Infirmary” (a song they didn’t write) making the determination that JMO and other New Orleans cover bands like them aren’t on the same level is a hard sell to Jimmy Maxwell.

I always say it takes a lot more talent to band that replicates dozens of different artists in an night as opposed to an original band that can come out and just “be themselves”.  I have to sound like Chuck Berry on one song and then the next song we have to sound close to Van Morrison.

For music producer Robert Maxwell, switching form playing in a cover band to an original band requires a musical separation, but he amount of talent and hard work he puts in remain the same. In addition to recording and producing, and playing drums in a popular cover band, he stay busy full-time.

Music requires 100% dedication. People see cover bands as a lesser form of music, but I don’t agree with that. Is it  easer to play your own music as opposed to someone else’s music? It depends. I know a lot of original band musicians who couldn’t play a cover to save their life. and I know cover band musicians who can’t jam with original bands.

Rene Netto - In Memoriam passed on 01/04/13

Most of the time this is an incredible life we live as artists, specifally performing artists, and most specifically, musicians. As a jazz musician who is in the business, most of the places you go and the things you do are happy occations, birthdays, weddings, dances, sometimes concerts, or jazz clubs, but over all it's a happy business.

I guess that makes it a little sadder when a musician passes on, particularly one as great as Rene Netto.

Not only was he one of the greatest musicians, I have known, he was kind enough to share his talent with me on the bandstand. Rene taught me alot about music, about jazz music. He was a great help to me as I started in the business. 

For Rene, fame wasn't in his destiny, as much as he may have desrved it. Some say he was a better player than Pete Fountain, or Boots Randolf, maybe in class with Benny Goodman and Stan Getz. But the business side of entertainment escaped him. He chance at fame via The Lawrence Welk show and a few other shots just never quite materialzed. So how I think he came to terms with all of that. In the end, he was happy just to play his horns. It brought him peace and satisfaction knowing he could paint that sound in a partiular moment and do so like nobody else could. It was audio magic listening to him, musch less trying to play and keep up with him.

We did countless private parties, concerts and travels togehter. Criss crossed the USA a few times, covered South America at least in part but that never seemed to matter much to him. A stage was a stage. He just wanted to play his horns.

He did and with unbelievable musical virtuosity. It was amazing and he will be missed, but never forgotten.

Sadly,

Jimmy Maxwell

The New Year Begins with JMO - Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra

2012 was a great year and we're happy to have been able to play music for so many wonderful people.

As 2013 begins, it's hard to believe that we're just weeks away from the Superbowl and Mardi Gras with just a week inbetween. So be it! The 12th Night Revelers well start the festivities on January 6th as they roll out the 12th night cake.

We've got corporate events, weddings and our chance to give back with a few charitable galas all in the next few months. 

Stand by! It's going to be an excitying year! 

Holiday Break Time

Whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, or Winter Solstice, December 25th is always a "break" for JMO. A time to gather with family and loved ones, appreicate the love and joy, and make plans for the celebrations ahead. Those plans include Wedding band preparations, new cover band materials (song selections), Mardi Gras, preparations, and all those details which will take us into spring.

But for now, we wish you a very safe, and happy holiday season to you and all of your family.

Speaking of Mardi Gras!... here's the traditional mp3s available at:  

http://www.jimmymaxwell.com/at-the-mardi-gras/

See you soon!

JM