The Luckman Jazz Orchestra boasts some of the finest professional jazz musicians in Los Angeles. The 17-piece big band, in existence since 2001, has been featured on radio stations K-Mozart and KKJZ, and described by Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times, as “one of the country’s finest musical organizations.” The Luckman Jazz Orchestra was made an official unit of California State University, Los Angeles, to be based within the Harriet & Charles Luckman Fine Arts Complex, in a resolution by Cal State L.A. president James M. Rosser, dated November 4, 2004.

The orchestra recorded a limited edition self-titled CD in June 2003, and has performed with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Faithful Central Bible Church Heritage Chorale, the Los Angeles Symphonic Camerata, and in the 2002 Festival of Sacred Music with an interdenominational choir of Los Angeles congregations. Under the auspices of the City of Los Angeles International Cultural Exchange Program, the LJO has performed in São Paulo and Salvador, Brazil; in Berlin at the Town Hall; and for the opening of Berlin’s “Unique” jazz club. The orchestra performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall with the Los Angeles Master Chorale in 2004 and 2005, and has been invited to return as a guest of the LAMC again in 2007.

Since its inception, the Luckman Jazz Orchestra has received funding from the NEA, the American Express Company, the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, and California State University, Los Angeles.