Artis—Naples names youth jazz orchestra director: Who is Brandon Robertson

Jazz is truly an American creation, and a Southwest Florida musician wants to help it grow.

Brandon Robertson ― an Emmy-nominated music director, bassist, educator and composer ― is the new director of its Naples Philharmonic Youth Jazz Orchestra, Artis—Naples recently announced. He assumes his new post in the fall.

“My sole objective is to continue cultivating a thriving musical environment for students to grow in this wonderful music we play called JAZZ," he said in a news release.

"I am dedicated and committed to seeing this program prosper for years to come."

Youth Jazz Orchestra marks eight years

The Naples Philharmonic Youth Jazz Orchestra in 2022-23 marked its eighth season in 2022-23. It's composed of more than two dozen high school students from Lee and Collier counties. As orchestra members, student musicians learn jazz techniques and style in a big band setting by blending with the other players, focusing on the swing feel and improvising by playing music written by the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and others.

The jazz orchestra performs three concerts each season on Artis—Naples Kimberly K. Querrey and Louis A. Simpson Cultural Campus.

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"We are thrilled to welcome Brandon Robertson to Artis—Naples as the leader of our Naples Philharmonic Youth Jazz Orchestra,” said Kathleen van Bergen, CEO and president of Artis—Naples, in the news release.

“Brandon brings a wealth of experience as an active performer, educator and mentor with great perspective on jazz as a living, evolving art form that honors its past while pushing the boundaries of its future."

Educated at Florida State University

Robertson, 37, received a bachelor's degree in music in 2009 from Florida State University and a Master of Music in Jazz Performance from FSU in 2016.

A Tampa native, he's presently the recipient of the John & Dorothy Guigon Endowed Directorship of Jazz Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University and was nominated for an Emmy Award for best documentary for educational collegiate programs featuring the FGCU Jazz Ensemble. Robertson is also director of the FGCU Basketball Band.

He succeeds Lew Del Gatto, who was the interim music director of the Artis—Naples jazz youth orchestra.

“We are also deeply grateful to Lew Del Gatto for his leadership and mentorship of these young musicians as interim director this past season, following the untimely death of the ensemble’s founder and longtime leader, Dan Miller," van Bergen said in the statement.

Miller, who was 53 when he died last August, had performed stars like Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis and Maynard Ferguson.

"Lew’s expertise and guiding hand were exactly what the students needed during this time of transition, and we appreciate how generous he was with his time and attention," van Bergen said.

Robertson said he would honor Miller, a great friend, by continuing to ensure students remember his legacy and teachings.

Robertson has performed worldwide

A prominent bandleader, Robertson has performed throughout the world. He's also headlined at some of the top jazz venues in the country, such as The Palladium, Blues Alley, The Jazz Kitchen, The BOP STOP, The Jazz Estate, The Side Door, Twins Jazz, Velvet Note and many others.

He's also appeared with the Count Basie Orchestra, Jason Marsalis, Marcus Roberts, Wycliffe Gordon, Laila Biali, Benny Benack III and Marty Morell (drummer for Bill and Carla Cook).

Leroy Jones, Charlie McCoy, Greg Tardy and Marcus Printup. Roberston has toured 22 countries in Europe. And Robertson has been a featured performer and bandleader at jazz festivals across the U.S., including headline appearances in Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Clearwater, Miami and Savannah, Georgia.

Early influences include Miles, Duke, Dizzy

Robertson said he began playing jazz in the ninth grade after joining jazz band at his high school. His high school band teacher gave a CD of Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" "and that was my introduction to jazz," he said in an email.

"After playing in jazz band, I started listening to cats like Art Blakey, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, and Dizzy Gillespie. Some of my heavy jazz influences were Thelonious Monk, Ray Brown, Oscar Peterson, Miles Davis, Paul Chambers, Christian McBride, James Williams, Art Blakey, Wayne Shorter, and Wynton Marsalis."

In addition to his roles at FGCU and now Artis―Naples, Robertson also is director of the Gulf Coast Symphony Youth Jazz Orchestra and is a bassist for the Gulf Coast Symphony Jazz Collective.

Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and News-Press. Follow him on Instagram @lacrossewriter and on Twitter @NDN_dosborn.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Brandon Robertson named director of Artis—Naples Youth Jazz Orchestra