Centrum is proud to welcome the Monterey Jazz Festival's 2011 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, and the BuJazzO Youth Orchestra to Jazz in the Clubs at Jazz Port Townsend.

The Monerey Jazz Festival’s 2011 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra was created in 1971 as a part of the Monterey Jazz Festival's continuing commitment to jazz education. Former members of the Orchestra include pianists Benny Green and Patrice Rushen, bassist Larry Grenadier, drummer Chad Wackerman, saxophonists Joshua Redman, Donny McCaslin, Eric Marienthal, Dave Koz, trombonist Andy Martin, trumpeters Gilbert Castellanos, Ambrose Akinmusire, and big band leader Gordon Goodwin to name a few.

In the past, the band has been under the leadership of Ladd McIntosh, Don Schamber, Benny Golson, Bill Berry, and many more. Now under the tutelage of Paul Contos, the renowned saxophonist and flautist who serves as the director of the Orchestra, the ensemble is dedicated to the study and performance of the most challenging big band literature available.

The award-winning Bundesjazzorchester (BuJazzO), Germany's Youth Jazz Orchestra, is led by Jiggs Whigham, and sponsors qualified and talented young jazz musicians in Germany. As an institution involved in the musical training of young people, it is unique in its kind worldwide. Young instrumentalists and singers can apply to join the BuJazzO, the musicians selected are then invited to audition. Successful candidates have the opportunity to develop their talent for a further period of two years up to a maximum age of 24.

The BuJazzO, winner of the 1997 German Music Prize, 2009 Jazz Prize of West German Broadcasting Service, has given over 400 concerts, undertaken twenty international tours and produced numerous broadcast recordings.