Seymour Rosenberg has been a fixture on the Memphis
music scene for more than 50 years – as a musician,
impresario, producer, publisher, manager, and music
business attorney. His clients have been as diverse as
the rich musical heritage of Memphis itself – from
Charlie Rich to Rufus Thomas.
Rosenberg is also a trumpet player and
long-time member of The Memphis Jazz Orchestra. The 18
piece orchestra was founded in 1992 at a club on
historic Beale Street. The genesis of the orchestra was
three former members of the United States Navy Band
based in Washington, D. C., Gary Adams (trumpet), Howard
Lamb (trombone), and Carl Wolfe (alto sax and chief
arranger). The trio decided to go to Memphis after
retiring from the Navy and fulfill their dream of
creating a serious big band.
The M.J.O. has distinguished itself in a
series of concerts featuring such national jazz artists
as guitarist Herb Ellis, trumpet virtuoso Marvin Stamm,
and pianist James Williams. They have also been on call
to back other artists performing in the Memphis area,
including Ray Charles, The Temptations, The Four Tops,
and Nancy Wilson.
In January 2008, after retiring from law
practice, Seymour Rosenberg, or Sy as he’s known outside
the courtroom, gathered the orchestra together at Ardent
Studios in Memphis. With the voice of Brittany Betts
taking the rough edges off of Sy’s sly, raspy vocal
style, the orchestra takes us back to the days of the
greatest generation with two complete albums of classic
big band swing.
Here, on
Volume One, standout tracks include
“Ma, He's Making Eyes At Me,”
“Are You Having Any Fun,” "Images," and
“The
Best Is Yet To Come.”
LAURA
MA, SHE’S MAKING EYES AT ME
AWESOME AUTUMN
SERENATA
YOU GO TO MY HEAD
ARE YOU HAVING ANY FUN
LOVER MAN
DON’T WORRY BOUT ME
IMAGES
THE BEST IS YET TO COME