The Valley Jazz Orchestra
LVC’s premiere big band, VJO performs a wide range of contemporary jazz styles. Founded in 1961 by members of Phi Mu Alpha, as the “LVC Jazz Band,” this group has a rich history of touring and hosting renowned jazz artists. Directed for over 30 years by Tom Strohman, the band is now co-directed by Jeff Lovell and Justin Morell. VJO released their debut album Vicious Fishes in the fall of 2024 and their follow-up Jungle Book in the fall of 2025. Both are available on streaming platforms and a limited supply of vinyl.
Photos from the Vicious Fishes recording session
At the end of the 2024 spring term, members of the LVC Valley Jazz Orchestra spent two days in the studio recording the album Vicious Fishes. All of the recording was done by students in our Audio and Music Production program, recorded in our studios at the Blair Music Center. The album was later mixed and mastered in our in-house studios. LVC students were involved in every stage of the process.
