The Uptown Jazz Tentet

Uptown Jazz Tentet is a ten-piece jazz ensemble collaboratively led by trumpeter Brandon Lee and trombonists Willie Applewhite & James Burton III. Formed in 2016, the concept of the band is relatively simple, “to hire our friends to create the best music we can.” Although several members are contributing writers, the three leaders provide the compositional backbone of the UJT.  "Between us, there is a commonality of shared influences and experiences."  What's interesting is that this commonality is filtered through three unique lenses of interpretation.  "We all have a personalized compositional sound, but it all complements each other."

The UJT's style is grounded in the traditions of Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Gil Evans, Thad Jones, and many others. With that being said, the ensemble is inclusive of all of the other flavors of the jazz idiom. This is illustrated in Uptown Jazz Tentet’s debut release, There It Is, and latest release, What’sNext, which have both enjoyed critical acclaim.