This award-winning global jazz and exotic chamber music features NAU percussion alumnus, Brian O’Neill.

Referencing the exotica of composers ranging from Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich to George Gershwin, Martin Denny, and John Adams, Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica—as a vibraphone quartet—presents an original collection of untraditional jazz, classical arrangements, and world music with flavors from Asia, the Middle East, the Balkans, and Latin America. Led by multi-percussionist, vibraphonist, and composer Brian O’Neill, the group also features bass flute/woodwinds by Geni Skendo, percussion by Noriko Terada, and acoustic bass by Jason Davis.

The quartet focuses on original music written by O’Neill that is highly influenced by his fifteen-year career as a multi-percussionist in symphony orchestras, jazz groups, and world music ensembles. Brian O’Neill is a versatile percussionist and vibraphonist based in Boston and New York City. He has also performed with Arizona Opera Company, Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra (principal percussionist), various Boston Pops pickup orchestras, Donna Summer, Peter Erskine, Wallace Roney, Archie Bell, the Del-Larks, Juanito Pascual, and as a soloist with the Sun City Symphony (AZ). His musical adventures have brought him to Japan, the Hawaii International Jazz Festival, the prestigious Festival de Mexico, and Carnegie Hall in New York. O’Neill is also a member of La Tuza, CORDIS, The Klezwoods, The David Wax Museum, Aljashu, the Jazz Factory Orchestra, The Fa Diyez Ensemble, and he continues to freelance with various orchestras.

Brian O’Neill received his Bachelor of Music degree in percussion performance from Northern Arizona University.

In June 2011, Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica released its debut quartet CD, “Third River Rangoon.”

For six years, the NAU School of Music’s Horizons Concert Series has been providing global exploration and deeper musical experiences for the NAU and Flagstaff Community. The Global Artist-in-Residence program brings international musicians to the Northern Arizona University Campus twice a year for one-to-two-week residencies with activities across campus and the local community.