The Meadows Jazz Orchestra, directed by Akira Sato, will perform tonight in the Bob Hope Theatre.

The orchestra, usually called a big band, is made up of 19 members and contains saxophones, trumpets, trombones and a rhythm section. Contrasting with smaller jazz groups that perform mostly improvisation, large orchestras such as the MJO perform highly-arranged pieces with smaller sections of improvisation.

Sato says that an orchestra is able to provide flexibility and versatility that a small group cannot.

“It can go from quiet to in your face in a matter of seconds,” says Sato.

Sato, who is also part of Jampact, a jazz group made up of Dean Jose Bowen and other Meadows faculty, says he enjoys directing the band because he composes big band music.

Sato holds a Master of Music degree in jazz arranging from the University of North Texas, and his compositions and arrangements have been performed by various ensembles and artists including the Maynard Ferguson All-Star Tribute Big Band, the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, the Jazz Ambassadors, the Army Blues, Lynn Seaton, Bobby Shew, Steve Wiest and Celina Rae.

Though Sato has only one original composition in this evening’s performance, the song has an interesting story. He was commissioned to write the piece “Lockdown” by the British Columbia Music Educators Association for the Provincial Honor Band but had not given it a title.

While directing the band at a high school in B.C., the school announced a code red and was put on lockdown while the students had to hide in the corner of the band room.

Sato says, “It turns out the code red was nothing, but the students thought that we should name the piece after the incident.”

“Lockdown” is one of nine pieces the band will perform.

They will also play “Tang,” a song composed by Duke Ellington and transcribed by Sato which they performed at last week’s dance concert at Meadows.

Trumpet player Rick Baty says his favorite piece of the performance is “I Mean You.”

“It’s a very interesting chart that goes between a New Orleans second-line groove and traditional swing.”

Describing what working with Sato is like, Baty says, “[He] strives to instill a sound, theoretical knowledge of Jazz into the band so we can make music at whatever level we strive for.”

Many of the other band members are equally pleased to work with Sato and be part of the group.

“I like to think of it as if ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ turned into a music ensemble,” says Kevin Womack, bass player, while describing the orchestra.

MJO is open to all majors, including both graduates and undergraduates. While for some, this group is just an outlet for their passion for music, others look at it differently.

“Jazz is what I want to do as a career in the future, and this orchestra is a step towards that goal,” says Spenser Liszt, saxophonist.

Fellow saxophonist Noelle Fabian says she’s excited about the concert because of its high energy and looks forward to her solo in “Lonely Street.”

The concert begins at 8 p.m. and admission is free.