A few of his credits include being first trumpet, soloist and road manager of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, as well as being co-leader while Mr. Kenton was recovering from surgery; leading the Dukes of Dixieland in New Orleans; producing and/or music directing for over 25 jazz festivals; and performing workshops for more than 1000 high schools, colleges and universities all over the world. He is currently a National Artist for The Getzen Musical Instrument Company.
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Have Band Will Travel (2008)
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Summit Records #DCD535
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The Stan Kenton Alumni Band,
directed by Mike Vax
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Sounds From The Road (2008)
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Summit Records #DCD518
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The Mike Vax Big Band,
Featuring the Stan Kenton Alumni
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Next Stop, Live...On The Road (2005)
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Summit Records #DCD418
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The Mike Vax Big Band,
Featuring the Stan Kenton Alumni
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LIVE...On The Road (2002)
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Summit Records #DCD356
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The Mike Vax Big Band,
Featuring the Stan Kenton Alumni
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bigbandjazz.net (2002)
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Summit Records #DCD329
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The Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra
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Creepin’ with Clark (2000)
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Summit Records #DCD273
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The Mike Vax - Clark Terry Sextet
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Alternate Route (1999)
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Sea Breeze Records #SB2102
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Mike Vax and the New Oakland Jazz Orchestra
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The J.W. Big Band Rides Again (1999)
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Chase Music Group #8058
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The Jim Widner Big Band
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Stan - The Big Sur (1999)
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Sea Breeze Records #2101
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The Roy Wiegand Jazz Orchestra
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The Sound of Kenton (1999-reissue)
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Hitchcock Media #0202
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The Stan Kenton Orchestra (1971)
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I Remember You (1998)
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Master Communications #MCG8010
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Mike Vax Big Band (Featuring Alumni of the Stan Kenton Orch.)
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Body and Soul (1997)
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Chase Music Group #8048
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The Jim Widner Big Band
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Tunes and Topics (1997-reissue)
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Tantara #1114 & #1115 (2 volumes)
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The Stan Kenton Orchestra (1970)
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Royal St. Shuffle (1996)
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Ivory Music #DVC0011D
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The Draga/Vax Connection (Recorded in New Orleans)
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Live at Morningside College (1996)
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Master Communications #MCG
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Mike Vax Big Band (Featuring Alumni of the Stan Kenton Orch.)
2 volume video (done at the Morningside College Jazz Festival)
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Yesterdays and Today (1996)
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Chase Music Group #8045
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The Jim Widner Big Band
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Late Harvest (1994)
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GAJ Recordings #00112
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The Mike Vax – Bob Lucas Quintet
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Live at University of the Pacific (1993)
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Johnson Digital Audio #110
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Mike Vax and the Great American Jazz Band
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Headin’ South (1992)
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Sacramento Jazz Records #SJS36
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Mike Vax and the Great American Jazz Band
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A Christmas Jazz Mass (1992)
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KREM #HCD37524
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Benko Jazz Band (Recorded live in Hungary)
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The Very Thought of You (1991)
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Flying Rabbit #FR911
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Susan Berthiaume (TRPTS. – guest artists)
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Too Much Fun! (1990)
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TUSCO #001
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Scotty Wright (TRPTS. - guest artists)
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Rhapsody in Blue (1989-reissue)
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Moon Records #MCD012-2
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The Stan Kenton Orchestra (1972)
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Just Good Friends (1988)
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KREM #SLPX37166
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Benko Jazz Band - Freddy Hubbard - Al Grey
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First Reunion (1987)
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1st American Records #MIM9052
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The Fred Radke - Mike Vax Quintet
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Transforming Traditions (1986)
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The Jazz Alliance #TJA 10009
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Mike Vax and TRPTS. (Trumpets)
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Bertha The Blues (1985)
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Sacramento Jazz #SJS28
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Mike Vax and the Great American Jazz Band
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Mainstream Dixie (1983)
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Sacramento Jazz #SJS21
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Mike Vax and the Great American Jazz Band
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Mike Vax Live at Cazadero (1976)
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Sounds of New Orleans #1005
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The Mike Vax Big Band
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Creole Gumbo (1976)
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Sandcastle #SCR1030
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The Dukes of Dixieland
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Sternwheeler Steamboat (1976)
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Sandcastle #SCR1029
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The Dukes of Dixieland
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Dukes’ Place (1975)
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Sandcastle #SCR1028
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The Dukes of Dixieland
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Evil Eyes (1973)
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Artco #LPJ117 (945)
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The Mike Vax Big Band
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National Anthems of the World (1972)
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Creative World #ST1060
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The Stan Kenton Orchestra
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Live at Butler University (1972)
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Creative World #ST1058
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The Stan Kenton Orchestra
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Live with the Four Freshmen (1972)
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Creative World #ST1059
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The Stan Kenton Orchestra
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Stan Kenton Today–Live in London (1972)
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London Records #BP4417980
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The Stan Kenton Orchestra
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Live at Brigham Young University (1971)
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Creative World #ST1039
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The Stan Kenton Orchestra
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Live at Redlands University (1970)
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Creative World #ST1015
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The Stan Kenton Orchestra
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Leader Mike Vax is a product of the City of Oakland and the Oakland Public Schools, having graduated from Oakland High School in 1960. He has led a big band off and on since his days at College of the Pacific over 35 years ago.