The Establishment Big Band

In 1970, a diverse group of Nashville musicians who loved big band music came together to form The Establishment, an ensemble devoted to performing a wide array of jazz orchestra music. Today, this well-rehearsed and highly skilled twenty piece band is in demand throughout the mid-South.

With an extensive repertoire of the great music made famous by traditional and contemporary big bands, The Establishment was for eight years the band in demand at the Opryland Hotel's big New Year's Eve Gala, and was featured on the big band cruise of the showboat General Jackson.

Four rhythm players, five reeds and ten brass comprise the band, which was founded by Del Sawyer, Dean Emeritus of Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music. Over the years, Billy Adair and Cole Burgess have served as directors.

A non-profit organization, The Establishment generates scholarships for musically talented children to receive individualized instruction at Blair School of Music and at the W.O. Smith Nashville Community Music School. The band works only for the love of music and the support of a new generation of musicians.

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John Fedchock

John Fedchock’s illustrious career in jazz has spanned over four decades. Since his emergence on the scene in 1980, Fedchock has established himself as a world-class trombone soloist, a heralded bandleader, and a Grammy-nominated arranger. An indemand performer and writer in New York City, his multifaceted talents have led him to become one of NYC’s premier jazz artists.

Fedchock began his career as a jazz trombonist when he joined the legendary Woody Herman Orchestra in 1980. He toured with Woody’s "Thundering Herd" for seven years, during which time he was musical director and a featured soloist. He served as musical coordinator and chief arranger in the production of Herman’s last two Grammy Award nominated albums "50th Anniversary Tour" and "Woody’s Gold Star", and received accolades from jazz journalists worldwide. Famed jazz critic Leonard Feather called him the "unsung hero" of Woody’s "50th Anniversary Tour" album and Woody said of Fedchock, "He’s my right hand man. Everything I ask of John he accomplishes, and I ask a lot. He’s a major talent." DOWNBEAT magazine stated that, "it was the young blood of musicians like Fedchock that helped keep Woody Herman’s last years musically healthy and growing". Fedchock still maintains a close association with the Herman orchestra, performing with the group on occasion and continuing to add his own compositions and arrangements to the band’s library.

Fedchock has toured with T.S. Monk, Gerry Mulligan Concert Jazz Band, Louie Bellson Big Band, Bob Belden Ensemble, Manhattan Jazz Orchestra, Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and has performed at jazz festivals and concert halls around the world. As a solo artist, he appears throughout the United States and abroad performing as guest trombonist/composer/conductor. To add to his already diverse list of multiple talents, Fedchock is also a producer of note, and has lent his studio expertise to several recent recording projects.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Fedchock is a graduate of The Ohio State University with degrees in Music Education and Jazz Studies. He also holds a master’s degree in Jazz Studies And Contemporary Media from the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He is an in-demand clinician, and conducts seminars and workshops at colleges and universities across the country. His compositions and arrangements are published by Jazzlines Publications, Kendor Music Inc, and Walrus Music Publishing. John Fedchock is a trombone artist for XO Professional Brass and plays XO trombones exclusively. His collaboration with the prominent instrument company to create the XO1632 trombone has proven to be an overwhelming success in both innovative design and industry popularity.